Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu Lamido and Mustapha Lamido, was stalled on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, due to the absence of the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi, SAN. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who presided over the case, adjourned the matter to Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for continuation of trial after the prosecution informed the court that the defence counsel had written requesting an adjournment due to a medical surgery.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the defendants on a 37-count charge involving alleged money laundering, kick-backs, and fictitious contract awards to the tune of N1.35 billion, allegedly committed while Sule Lamido was governor of Jigawa State from 2007 to 2015. At the start of the Monday proceedings, prosecution counsel Chile Okoroma, SAN, informed the court of a letter from the lead defence counsel, explaining his absence due to a medical surgery and requesting an adjournment.
While wishing the defence counsel well, Okoroma submitted that Agi ought to have delegated another counsel in his team to appear for him so that the trial could continue, especially as the matter had lingered in court since 2015. The EFCC counsel also pointed out that the presiding judge had flown in from her Calabar, Cross River State jurisdiction to preside over the matter at the Federal High Court, Abuja. He consequently prayed the court for just one day's adjournment. Justice Ojukwu ruled in favour of the prosecution and adjourned the matter till Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for continuation of trial.
The case has been ongoing since 2015, when the EFCC first arraigned Sule Lamido and his sons over allegations of corruption and money laundering during his tenure as governor. The defendants have consistently denied the charges and have maintained their innocence throughout the long-running legal battle. The latest adjournment adds to the series of delays that have characterised the trial, with the defence counsel's absence due to medical reasons being the latest setback.
The EFCC has continued to pursue the case with determination, seeking to prove that the former governor and his sons engaged in financial impropriety during Lamido's time in office. The commission has alleged that the defendants used their positions to award contracts to companies linked to them and diverted public funds for personal use. The trial is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
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