Alleged N1.5b Ecological Fund Fraud: Ex-Niger Gov Babangida to Know Fate on No -Case Submission May 8

Image of Babangida with EFCC officers

By JUMOKE SANNI

Justice Yeliam Bogoro of the Federal High Court Lagos, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, set May 8, 2026 for ruling on the no- case submission, filed by a former governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu and his co-defendant, Umar Muhammed Nasko.

Thursday’s proceeding was for adoption of final addresses by the prosecution counsel, Faruk Abdallah, counsel for the first defendant, Y. Kalamu and Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, for the second defendant.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Aliyu alongside Nasko, a former Commissioner for Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources, on an eight-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, money laundering and conversion of ecological funds to the tune of N1,509,791,200.00 (One Billion, Five Hundred and Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Two hundred Naira).

In their reply on the no- case submission of the defendants, the prosecution counsel informed the court that he filed his response on February 5, 2026, adding that the defendants were arraigned before the court on April 28, 2017, on eight-count charges, bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

The prosecution counsel also informed the court that the prosecution in proof of its case, called 11 witnesses and tendered several exhibits. “At the close of the prosecution’s case, the first defendant opted to make a no -case submission. The first defendant filed a written no- case submission on 18th December 2025. In response thereof, the prosecution has filed this address and adopts the same as its response,” he said.

On the no -case submission of the second defendant, the prosecution counsel observed that “At the close of the prosecution’s case, the second defendant opted to make a no-case submission. The second defendant filed a written no- case submission on November 23, 2025.”

Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter till May 8, 2026 for ruling on the no-case submission.