The trial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons, Aminu Lamido and Mustapha Lamido, was again stalled on Tuesday after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, could not continue due to the absence of the defendants’ lead counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).
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 crucial documents with him, leaving the defence unable to proceed with its case.
Sule Lamido and his sons are standing trial on a 37-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged money laundering, receipt of kickbacks and the award of fictitious contracts involving ₦1.35 billion.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences were committed during Lamido’s administration as Governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015.
At Tuesday’s hearing, defence counsel, O.F. Ekegba, told the court that an affidavit explaining the lead counsel’s absence had already been filed.
He explained that Agi travelled to Germany to hold discussions with a witness and had taken all the relevant case documents with him. Ekegba, however, assured the court that the defence would conclude its case within three days if hearing dates were fixed in September.
Counsel to the EFCC, Chile Okoroma (SAN), said the prosecution had only been served with the affidavit on Tuesday morning but would not oppose the application for an adjournment.
He noted that the defence had undertaken to conclude its case within two to three days at the next hearing and accepted the explanation that the lead counsel was away with the case file.
Following submissions from both parties, Justice Ojukwu adjourned the matter to a date in September 2026, which will be communicated to the parties, for the continuation of the trial.