Abuja – Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, are set for a fresh arraignment on April 1 over allegations of laundering N1.3 billion, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, fixed the date after the Lamidos failed to appear in court for a previously scheduled arraignment. Their counsel, Mr. Joe Agi, SAN, explained that the family, resident in Kano, could not attend due to the short notice and distance. Agi pledged that the defendants would be produced on the new date.
EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Chile Okoroma, SAN, expressed surprise at their absence, noting that the trial notice had been duly served. He also highlighted EFCC’s request to have the initial trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, transferred back from Calabar to Abuja for the trial. Justice Lifu stated that the matter would be handled administratively by the Chief Judge but maintained the April 1 arraignment.
The case, which dates back to 2015, involves 27 counts of money laundering linked to contracts allegedly awarded during Lamido’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015. The accused also include their companies, Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.
After the EFCC called more than 16 witnesses, the Lamidos filed a no‑case submission, arguing insufficient evidence. While the Federal High Court initially dismissed this submission in 2022, the Court of Appeal in 2023 upheld it, citing lack of territorial jurisdiction, ruling that the trial should have been held in Jigawa State.
However, in a landmark decision on January 16, 2026, the Supreme Court set aside the Court of Appeal ruling, affirming that Lamido and his sons have a case to answer and ordering the continuation of the trial in Abuja.
The April 1 arraignment marks a critical phase in a high-profile case that has spanned over a decade, spotlighting ongoing efforts to tackle corruption among Nigeria’s political elite.
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