“Lamido’s ₦1.35bn Fraud Trial Stalled Over Defence Counsel’s Absence” — Court Adjourns Case After EFCC Opposes Delay

The trial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, over an alleged N1.35bn fraud was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, following the absence of the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).

Lamido and his sons are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks and fictitious contract awards.

EFCC alleged that the offences, amounting to N1.35bn, were committed while Lamido served as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015.

This was disclosed in a X post by the anti-graft agency on Monday, stating that at the commencement of proceedings, prosecution counsel, Chile Okoroma (SAN), informed the court that he had received a letter from Agi explaining that he could not attend the proceedings because of “some medical issues involving a surgery” and requested an adjournment

While wishing the senior lawyer a speedy recovery, Okoroma argued that another member of the defence team ought to have appeared in court to ensure the matter proceeded, noting that the case had been pending since 2015.

The EFCC said, “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 can continue, especially as the matter has lingered in court since 2015.”

The anti-graft agency further stated that the prosecution drew the court’s attention to the fact that Justice Ojukwu had travelled from another judicial division to hear the matter.

“Besides, the EFCC counsel pointed to the fact that the presiding judge flew 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,” the commission said.

Justice Ojukwu subsequently ruled in favour of the prosecution and adjourned the matter for continuation of the trial.

The EFCC statement indicated that the case was adjourned till “Tuesday, July 20, 2022.”

However, the date appears to be a typographical error, as the proceedings took place on Monday, July 20, 2026. The next hearing is expected to be on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.