The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has demanded that former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, his sons, and other co-defendants face retrial before their original trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, in line with a Supreme Court directive.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, EFCC counsel Chile Okoroma told Justice Peter Lifu that the commission was still awaiting a response from the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, regarding its request for Justice Ojukwu, currently in Calabar, to conclude the matter.
Okoroma explained that the application was consistent with the Supreme Court’s January 16 order, which overturned a Court of Appeal ruling that had struck out the 37-count charge against Lamido and others for alleged abuse of office and money laundering during his tenure as governor from 2007 to 2015.
The prosecution had previously called at least 17 witnesses, prompting its insistence that the original trial judge handle the case to ensure continuity. EFCC requested an adjournment to await the official communication from the Chief Judge, a motion which the defendants’ counsel, Joe Agi, did not oppose.
Justice Lifu adjourned the case until April 30 for re-arraignment or further proceedings, noting that the previous re-arraignment scheduled for March 13 was stalled due to the absence of Lamido and his co-defendants.
The EFCC’s 37-count charge accuses Lamido of laundering funds obtained as kickbacks from companies awarded contracts by the Jigawa State government under his leadership. Other defendants include his sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, as well as Aminu Wada Abubakar and their companies, Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.
