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 again stalled on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, due to the absence of the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the defendants on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks, 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 Tuesday's proceedings, which were slated for the continuation of trial, defence counsel O.F. Ekegba informed the court that he had deposed to an affidavit of facts before the court indicating that the lead counsel had traveled to Germany to meet with a witness. "My lord, the lead counsel has traveled 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," Ekegba told the court.
Responding, prosecution counsel Chile Okoroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stated: "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. My lord, based on the undertaking before this court, I will concede the adjournment." Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, having listened to both parties, adjourned the matter to a later date in September 2026, which will be communicated to the parties, for the 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 international travel being the latest setback. The adjournment means the trial will not resume until September, potentially pushing the case further into 2027 if further delays occur.
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