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 stalled on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following the absence of the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).
Lamido and his sons are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks and fictitious contract awards amounting to N1.35billion.
The anti-graft agency alleges that the offences were committed while Lamido served as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015.
At the commencement of Monday’s proceedings, EFCC prosecution counsel, Chile Okoroma (SAN), informed the court that the lead defence counsel had written to notify the court of his inability to attend due to medical reasons involving surgery.
According to the EFCC prosecution counsel, the lead defence counsel also requested an adjournment of the case.
However, while wishing the defence counsel a speedy recovery, Okoroma argued that another lawyer from Agi’s legal team ought to have appeared in court to ensure that the trial proceeded.
Okoroma noted that the case has remained pending since 2015 and stressed the need to avoid further delays.
The prosecution counsel also drew the court’s attention to the fact that Justice Ojukwu had travelled from her judicial station in Calabar, Cross River State, to sit on the matter at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Okoroma consequently urged the court to grant only a one-day adjournment to minimise further delay in the proceedings.
Justice Ojukwu agreed with the prosecution’s request and adjourned the matter until Tuesday, July 21, for the continuation of the trial.