The trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, was stalled on Monday at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, following the absence of the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi, SAN.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendants on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks and fictitious contract awards amounting to N1.35 billion.
According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged offences were committed while Lamido served as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015.
At the commencement of proceedings, EFCC counsel Chile Okoroma, SAN, informed the court that Agi had written to explain his absence, citing a medical procedure and requesting an adjournment.
While wishing the defence lawyer a speedy recovery, Okoroma argued that another member of the defence team should have appeared in court to ensure the trial proceeded, noting that the case has remained in court since 2015.
He also pointed out that the trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, travelled from her judicial division in Calabar, Cross River State, to Abuja to hear the matter. The prosecution therefore requested only a one-day adjournment.
Justice Ojukwu granted the request and adjourned the case until Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
