The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourns the fraud trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, again due to the absence of their lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN). According to the reports, the matter is scheduled to be heard in September, with the exact date to be communicated to the parties. This is the second adjournment within 24 hours, following an earlier stall related to Agi’s absence. One report says Agi had written to the court on Monday citing medical issues and a need for surgery. On Tuesday, another defence lawyer tells the court that Agi travelled to Germany to meet with a witness and took the case file along, and requests a further adjournment. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecutes the trio, notes it was only served with the defence affidavit that morning but does not oppose the adjournment after the defence undertakes to conclude its case within three days. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu grants the adjournment. Lamido and his sons plead not guilty to a 37-count charge involving alleged money laundering, kickbacks, and fictitious contract awards over alleged offences committed during Lamido’s time as governor between 2007 and 2015.
Lamido, sons’ N1.35bn fraud trial adjourned again over lead defence counsel’s absence
The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourns the fraud trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, again due to the absence of their lead defence counsel, Joe A...
- The trial involves former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his sons, Aminu and Mustapha.
- The court adjourns the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to the absence of the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).
- Hearing is stalled a second time within 24 hours, with the matter moved to a date in September 2026 (exact date to be communicated).
- The EFCC prosecutes on a 37-count charge including money laundering, kickbacks, and fictitious contract awards related to N1.35 billion.
- Lamido and his sons plead not guilty.
The trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, over an alleged N1.35 billion fraud was on Tuesday again adjourned by the Federal High Court in Abuja due to the absence of their lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN). The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the trio on a 37-count charge bordering on money laundering, kickbacks, and fictitious contract awards. The alleged offences were committed while Lamido served as governor between 2007 and 2015. During proceedings on Tuesday, defence counsel O.F. Ekegba informed the court that Agi had travelled to Germany to meet with a witness and had taken the case file along. He sought an adjournment to September and undertook to close the defence case within three days. Prosecution counsel Chile Okoroma (SAN) noted that the EFCC was only served with the defence’s affidavit that morning but conceded to the adjournment based on the undertaking given. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu subsequently adjourned the matter to a date in September 2026, which will be communicated to the parties. The latest adjournment came a day after Monday’s proceedings were also stalled due to Agi’s absence. On Monday, Agi had written to the court citing medical issues requiring surgery. Although the prosecution wished Agi a speedy recovery, they expressed concern over the prolonged nature of the case, which has been pending since 2015, and noted that another member of the defence team could have appeared. Lamido and his sons have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
2 hours agoIt was the second time within 24 hours that hearing in the corruption trial of Mr Lamido and his sons would be rescheduled over the defence lawyer's absence. The post N1.35bn Fraud Trial: Absence of Lamido’s lead lawyer stalls trial again appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
4 hours agoMr Lamido and his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, are standing trial on 37 money laundering charges involving N1.35 billion in alleged proceeds of kickbacks and fictitious contract awards. The post Ex-Gov. Lamido’s N1.35 billion fraud trial stalls over defence lawyer’s absence appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
1 day agoThe 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 Read More: https://punchng.com/court-adjourns-lamido-sons-n1-35bn-fraud-trial-over-counsels-absence/
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