The ₦1.35 billion alleged fraud trial involving former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons has suffered another setback after their lead defence lawyer travelled out of the country.
The proceedings were stalled on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, following the absence of Joe Agi (SAN), the lead counsel to the defendants.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu adjourned the case after the defence informed the court that Agi had travelled to Germany to meet with a witness and had taken the case file and other relevant documents with him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Lamido, Aminu Lamido and Mustapha Lamido on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, receipt of kickbacks and fictitious contract awards valued at ₦1.35 billion.
The anti-graft agency alleges that the offences were committed while Sule Lamido was Governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015.
Tuesday’s proceedings had been scheduled for the continuation of the defence’s case.
However, O.F. Ekegba, counsel to the defendants, informed the court that an affidavit explaining the circumstances surrounding the lead counsel’s absence had already been filed.
“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,” Ekegba told the court.
EFCC counsel, Chile Okoroma (SAN), said the prosecution had only received the affidavit in court on Tuesday morning but would not oppose the request for an adjournment.
Okoroma said he would ordinarily have wanted to respond to the affidavit, but noted that Ekegba had assured him that the defence would conclude its case within two to three days in September.
He also told the court that the defence counsel had explained that the case file was currently with the lead counsel.
“Based on the undertaking before this court, I will concede the adjournment,” Okoroma said.
After listening to the submissions from both sides, Justice Ojukwu adjourned the case to a date in September 2026 for the continuation of the trial.
The specific date will be communicated to the parties.
