JUST IN: EFCC Pushes for Fresh Trial of Ex-Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has renewed its push for the retrial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, alongside his sons and other co-defendants.

Politics Nigeria reports that the anti-graft agency made its position known on Wednesday during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The EFCC, through its counsel, Chile Okoroma, SAN, told the court that steps were already being taken to ensure that the case resumes before the former trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

He explained that the commission had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting approval for Justice Ojukwu to conclude the matter, in line with the directive of the Supreme Court.

Okoroma said the application became necessary because of the advanced stage the case had reached before it was halted. According to him, the prosecution had already called no fewer than 17 witnesses before the earlier proceedings were interrupted.

He told the court, “we wrote a letter to the chief judge why the order of the Supreme Court must be obeyed,” stressing that the commission was awaiting an official response from the Chief Judge on the request.

The matter came up before Justice Peter Lifu for re-arraignment of the defendants. However, the EFCC requested an adjournment to allow time for the Chief Judge’s decision on the request.

Counsel to the defendants, Joe Agi, SAN, did not oppose the application for adjournment. Following this, Justice Lifu granted the request and fixed April 30 for re-arraignment or further proceedings.

“In the circumstances of this case and in the interest of justice, the case is adjourned for re-arraignment and/or further proceedings,” the judge ruled.

The planned re-arraignment had earlier suffered a setback on March 13 due to the absence of Lamido and the other defendants in court.

The fresh move by the EFCC follows a January 16 judgment of the Supreme Court, which ordered that the case be retried. The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel, overturned earlier rulings that had favoured the defendants.

The Supreme Court set aside the July 25, 2023 judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had upheld a no-case submission by Lamido and others. The appellate court had also struck out the 37-count charge against them on the grounds that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction.

In reversing that decision, the Supreme Court restored the earlier ruling of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, which had dismissed the no-case submission and directed the defendants to open their defence.

Lamido, who governed Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015, is facing a 37-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and money laundering. The EFCC accused him of receiving kickbacks from contractors awarded projects by the state government during his tenure.

Also standing trial are his sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, as well as Aminu Wada Abubakar. Two companies — Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd — are equally listed in the charge.

The EFCC maintains that the funds in question were illicitly acquired and laundered through various channels.