Justice Yeliam Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, has fixed May 8, 2026, to rule on the no-case submission filed by former Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, and his co-defendant, Umar Muhammed Nasko, in an alleged N1.5 billion ecological fund fraud trial.
The matter came up on Thursday for the adoption of final written addresses. Prosecution counsel, Faruk Abdallah, adopted the response filed on behalf of the complainant, while Y. Kalamu represented the first defendant and Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, appeared for the second defendant.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Aliyu alongside Nasko, a former Commissioner for Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources in Niger State, on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering and alleged conversion of ecological funds amounting to N1,509,791,200.
In opposing the no-case submissions, the prosecution informed the court that its response was filed on February 5, 2026. Counsel recalled that the defendants were arraigned on April 28, 2017, on the eight-count charge.
According to the prosecution, 11 witnesses were called and several exhibits tendered in the course of trial to establish the case against the defendants. At the close of the prosecution’s case, both defendants opted to file separate no-case submissions.
The first defendant filed his written no-case submission on December 18, 2025, while the second defendant filed his on November 23, 2025.
After hearing the parties adopt their processes, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to May 8, 2026, for ruling on whether the defendants have a case to answer.
