Alleged N1.35bn fraud: EFCC protests delay as defence Counsel’s absence stalls Lamido trial

Michael Olumide Alabi

Trial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons, Aminu Lamido and Mustapha Lamido, over an alleged N1.35 billion fraud charge was stalled on Monday, July 20, 2026, following the absence of their lead defence counsel, Joe Agi, SAN, from proceedings.

The case, which is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), came up before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.

According to the Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the defendants are facing a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks and fictitious contract awards involving the sum of N1.35 billion.

The alleged offences were reportedly committed during the tenure of Sule Lamido as Governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015.

At the commencement of Monday’s proceedings, counsel for the prosecution, Chile Okoroma, SAN, informed the court that the lead defence counsel had communicated his inability to attend the proceedings due to medical issues.

According to the prosecution counsel, the letter from Agi indicated that he was unavailable because of a medical procedure involving surgery.

Okoroma, while wishing the senior lawyer a successful recovery, urged the court to consider the prolonged nature of the case and grant only a short adjournment.

The EFCC counsel argued that although the lead defence counsel was indisposed, another lawyer from his legal team could have been delegated to appear in court to enable the trial to proceed.

He noted that the matter had been pending before the court since 2015, stressing the need for the proceedings to move forward without unnecessary delays.

Okoroma also drew the attention of the court to the fact that Justice Ojukwu had travelled from her jurisdiction in Calabar, Cross River State, to sit on the matter in Abuja.

He therefore urged the court to grant only a one-day adjournment to allow the defence counsel to attend the proceedings subsequently.

Following the submissions, Justice Ojukwu adjourned the case to Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for continuation of trial.
The latest development represents another delay in the long-running prosecution of the former Jigawa governor and his two sons.

The EFCC had accused the defendants of engaging in financial transactions allegedly involving money laundering, kickbacks and the award of fictitious contracts during Lamido’s administration as governor.

The former governor, who served as Jigawa State governor from 2007 to 2015, has continued to face the charges alongside his sons as the anti-graft agency pursues its case before the Federal High Court.

The case has attracted considerable public interest because of the status of the first defendant and the length of time it has remained before the court.

The prosecution is expected to continue presenting its case when proceedings resume, while the defence team will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations in accordance with due process.

The defendants remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The matter has been adjourned for the continuation of the trial.