The trial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, was stalled at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, following the absence of their lead counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).
Lamido and his sons are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks and fictitious contract awards involving about ₦1.35 billion. The offences were allegedly committed during Lamido’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, Chile Okoroma (SAN), informed the court that Agi had written to explain his absence, stating that he was undergoing medical treatment following surgery.
Okoroma, however, argued that the defence should have assigned another lawyer to handle the case, noting that the trial had been pending since 2015.
He also told the court that the trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, had travelled from her Calabar division to Abuja to hear the matter.
“We wish the defence counsel well, but this matter must proceed. We therefore pray for just one day’s adjournment,” Okoroma submitted.
Justice Ojukwu subsequently adjourned the case until Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for the continuation of trial.