ABUJA — The trial of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and his two sons was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, due to the absence of their lead defence counsel, Joe Agi, SAN.
Lamido, alongside his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks and fictitious contract awards amounting to N1.35 billion.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, prosecution counsel, Chile Okoroma, SAN, informed the court that the defence lawyer had written to notify the court of his inability to attend proceedings due to a medical condition requiring surgery.
While wishing the defence counsel a speedy recovery, Okoroma argued that another lawyer from his team could have appeared in court, noting that the case has been pending since 2015.
He also pointed out that the trial judge had travelled from her base in Calabar, Cross River State, to Abuja for the proceedings.
Okoroma therefore urged the court to grant only a short adjournment to allow the trial continue without further delay.
Ruling, Justice Ojukwu granted the request and adjourned the matter to July 21 for continuation of hearing.
The EFCC alleges that the offences were committed during Lamido’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015.
