The trial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, was again stalled on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, following the absence of the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).
Lamido and his sons are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks and fictitious contract awards amounting to N1.35 billion.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the offences were committed while Lamido served as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015.
When the case came up before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu for continuation of trial, defence counsel, O.F. Ekegba, informed the court that Agi has travelled to Germany to meet a witness and has taken the case documents with him.
Ekegba told the court that an affidavit explaining the circumstances had been filed and urged the judge to adjourn the matter until September.
“My Lord, the lead counsel has travelled to Germany to have a meeting with the witness and has taken along the documents with him. We undertake to close our case within three days if granted a date in September,” he said.
Counsel for the EFCC, Chile Okoroma (SAN), said the prosecution had only been served with the affidavit in court on Tuesday morning but would not oppose the application.
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“My Lord, we have been served with the affidavit of facts this morning in court. Ordinarily, I would have loved to respond, but my learned brother, Ekegba, has assured me that they will conclude their case within two to three days in September.
“He also explained to me that the file of the case is with the lead counsel. Based on that undertaking before this court, I will concede the adjournment,” Okoroma said.
After hearing both parties, Justice Ojukwu adjourned the case to a date in September 2026, which will be communicated to the parties, for the continuation of trial.
The case has suffered multiple delays, with proceedings previously stalled over the absence of the lead defence counsel.
