The trial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons over an alleged N1.35 billion fraud suffered another setback on Tuesday after the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned proceedings due to the absence of the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).
Lamido, alongside his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, is facing a 37-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accuses them of money laundering, receiving kickbacks and awarding fictitious contracts during Lamido’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015.
The anti-graft agency alleges that the offences involved a total of N1.35 billion.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC on its official X handle, proceedings could not continue after a member of the defence team, O.F. Ekegba, informed the court that the lead counsel had travelled abroad with the case file.
“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.
Responding, counsel to the EFCC, Chile Okoroma (SAN), disclosed that the prosecution had only received the defence’s affidavit of facts on Tuesday morning and said it was not in a position to respond immediately.
“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,” Okoroma said.
Following submissions from both parties, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu adjourned the matter to a date in September 2026, which will be communicated to the prosecution and defence for the continuation of hearing.
The latest postponement comes barely 24 hours after the same trial was unable to proceed because of Agi’s absence.
During Monday’s proceedings, the senior advocate had written to the court explaining that he was unavailable due to a medical condition that required surgery and sought an adjournment.
While expressing sympathy and wishing the defence counsel a speedy recovery, the prosecution had argued that another lawyer from the defence team could have handled the proceedings, noting that the case has remained before the court since 2015.
The EFCC also reminded the court that Justice Ojukwu had travelled from her judicial division in Calabar to Abuja specifically to preside over the trial before it was eventually adjourned.
Lamido and his two sons have pleaded not guilty to all 37 counts and continue to contest the allegations brought against them by the anti-corruption agency.
(Ripples)