The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons after lead defence counsel Joe Agi (SAN) was absent due to medical reasons
Sule Lamido and His Son’s N1.35bn Money Laundering Trial Stalled as Defence Counsel Misses Court
The trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, suffered another setback on Monday after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja were stalled by the absence of the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu was unable to proceed with the case after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informed the court that the senior lawyer had written to explain that he would be absent because of a medical procedure and requested an adjournment.
The EFCC is prosecuting Sule Lamido and his sons on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks and fictitious contract awards involving about N1.35 billion. The alleged offences were said to have been committed during Lamido’s tenure as Governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Chile Okoroma (SAN) told the court that although the commission wished the defence lawyer a speedy recovery, another member of his legal team should have appeared in court to enable the trial to continue, particularly as the case has remained before the court since 2015.
Okoroma also drew the court’s attention to the fact that Justice Ojukwu travelled from her Calabar judicial division to sit in Abuja for the matter. He consequently urged the court to grant only a one-day adjournment to avoid further delays.
Justice Ojukwu granted the request and adjourned the matter for the continuation of trial.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants were involved in money laundering, received kickbacks and awarded fictitious contracts amounting to N1.35 billion during Sule Lamido’s administration as governor.
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