Alleged N1.3bn Fraud: Sule Lamido, Sons To Face Fresh Trial April 1
Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 1 for the fresh arraignment of former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, over a N1.3 billion corruption charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Lamido is to appear in court alongside his sons, Aminu Lamido and Mustapha Lamido, who are alleged to have participated in the fraud through fictitious contract awards.
The fresh arraignment follows the absence of the Lamidos in court on Friday, when they were initially expected to take their plea.
Their counsel, Mr Joe Agi, SAN, apologised for the absence, explaining that they only received information about the hearing on Thursday evening and could not travel from their residence in Kano on such short notice.
Agi assured the court that his clients would be produced on the adjourned date.
EFCC’s counsel, Mr Chile Okoroma, SAN, expressed surprise at the defendants’ absence, noting that they had been served with the trial notice.
He also revealed that the commission had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting that the original trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, now on transfer to Calabar, be brought back to Abuja for the trial.
Justice Lifu described the matter as administrative and said it would be addressed by the Chief Judge, while still fixing April 1 for arraignment.
The EFCC first charged Lamido, his sons, and their companies, Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd, in 2015 on 27 counts of money laundering involving N1.3 billion allegedly siphoned from the state between 2007 and 2015.
After the EFCC closed its case, the defendants filed a no‑case submission, which was initially dismissed by Justice Ojukwu in November 2022.
Lamido appealed, and in July 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld the submission, ruling that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked jurisdiction and that the trial should be conducted in Jigawa State.
EFCC subsequently approached the Supreme Court, which on January 16, 2026, set aside the Court of Appeal’s decision.
The apex court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Abubakar Umar, held that the defendants had a case to answer and ordered the continuation of the trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
