The N1.35 billion Lamido fraud trial saw a fresh delay as the defense lawyer failed to appear in court again

The trial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons over alleged N1.35 billion fraud suffered another setback on Tuesday after the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the trial due to the absence of lead defense counsel, Joe Agi (SAN).

Lamido, along with his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, face 37 charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accuses them of money laundering, accepting bribes and awarding fictitious contracts during Lamido’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015.

The anti-corruption agency alleged that the offenses involved a total of N1.35 billion.

According to a statement issued by the EFCC on its official X handle, the trial could not proceed after a member of the defense team, OF Ekegba, informed the court that the lead counsel had traveled abroad with the case file.

“My Lord, the principal legal advisor has traveled to Germany to meet with witnesses and has brought with him his documents. We promise to close our case within three days if given a date in September,” Ekegba told the court.

Responding, EFCC legal advisor, Chile Okoroma (SAN), revealed that the prosecution only received the statement of facts from the defense on Tuesday morning and said that it was not in a position to immediately respond.

“My Lord, we have been served a statement of facts this morning in court. Normally, I would be happy to provide a response, but my learned brother, Ekegba, has assured me that they will conclude their case within two to three days in September.

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“He also explained to me that the file of this case is with the principal attorney. Your Honor, based on the promise in this court, I will agree to the postponement,” said Okoroma.

Following submissions from both parties, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu adjourned the matter to September 2026, which will be communicated to the prosecution and defense for the continuation of the trial.

This latest postponement came just 24 hours after the same trial could not proceed due to Agi’s absence.

During Monday’s hearing, the senior advocate had written to the court explaining that he was unable to attend due to a medical condition requiring surgery and requested an adjournment.

While expressing sympathy and wishing the defense a speedy recovery, the prosecutor argued that another lawyer from the defense team could handle the trial process, considering that the case had still been before the court since 2015.

The EFCC also reminded the court that Justice Ojukwu had traveled from his judicial division in Calabar to Abuja specifically to preside over the trial before it was adjourned.

Lamido and his two sons have pleaded not guilty to all 37 charges and continue to fight the charges leveled against them by the anti-corruption agency.