The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has renewed its demand that the trial of former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, alongside his sons and co-defendants, be reassigned to the original trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.
Counsel to the anti-graft agency, Chile Okoroma, SAN, made the position known on Wednesday while addressing Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja. He revealed that the commission is still awaiting a formal response from the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, regarding its request.
Okoroma explained that the move aligns with the directive of the Supreme Court, noting that a letter had already been forwarded to the Chief Judge, seeking a fiat to enable Justice Ojukwu, now serving in the Calabar division, to conclude the case. According to him, “we wrote a letter to the chief judge explaining why the order of the Supreme Court must be obeyed.”
Highlighting the progress already made, the EFCC lawyer stated that no fewer than 17 witnesses had testified before the former trial judge, justifying the request for her to continue with the matter. He subsequently sought an adjournment pending official communication from the Chief Judge.
Defense counsel, Joe Agi, SAN, raised no objection to the application. Consequently, Justice Lifu adjourned the case until April 30 for either re-arraignment or continuation of proceedings, stating, “In the circumstances of this case and in the interest of justice, the case is adjourned for re-arraignment and/or further proceedings.”
The defendants had previously failed to appear in court on March 13, resulting in the postponement of their re-arraignment.
It would be recalled that the Supreme Court, on January 16, ordered a fresh trial of Lamido and others, overturning the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal delivered on July 25, 2023. The appellate court had upheld a no-case submission and dismissed the 37-count charge on jurisdictional grounds.
However, in a unanimous decision, a five-member panel of the apex court set aside the ruling and reinstated the earlier decision of the Federal High Court, which dismissed the no-case submission and directed the defendants to open their defense.
Lamido is facing a 37-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office during his tenure as governor from 2007 to 2015, including claims that he laundered funds obtained as kickbacks from contractors awarded projects by the Jigawa State Government.
Also standing trial are his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, alongside Aminu Wada Abubakar and two companies — Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.
