The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reiterated its insistence that the retrial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, alongside his sons and other co-defendants, be conducted by the original trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.
At the resumed sitting before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, EFCC counsel, Chile Okoroma, informed the court that the commission is awaiting a response from the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, regarding its request for a fiat to allow Justice Ojukwu, now serving in the Calabar division, to conclude the matter.
Okoroma explained that the application aligns with the directive of the Supreme Court, emphasizing that significant progress had already been made in the trial, including the presentation of no fewer than 17 prosecution witnesses. He added that a formal letter had been sent to the Chief Judge detailing the necessity of complying with the apex court’s order.
Defence counsel, Joe Agi, did not oppose the application for adjournment.
Following the submissions, Justice Lifu adjourned the case until April 30 for either re-arraignment or further proceedings, noting that the decision was made in the interest of justice.
The re-arraignment earlier scheduled for March 13 had been stalled due to the absence of Lamido and other defendants in court.
It would be recalled that on January 16, the Supreme Court ordered a retrial of the defendants, overturning the July 25, 2023 judgments of the Court of Appeal which had upheld a no-case submission and struck out the 37-count charge on jurisdictional grounds.
In its ruling, the apex court set aside the appellate court’s decision and affirmed the earlier position of Justice Ojukwu, who had dismissed the no-case submissions and directed the defendants to enter their defence.
Lamido, who served as governor between 2007 and 2015, is accused by the EFCC of abusing his office and laundering funds allegedly received as kickbacks from contractors awarded projects by the Jigawa State Government.
Also charged in the case are his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, alongside Aminu Wada Abubakar and two companies—Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.
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