Former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido and sons set for fresh arraignment in Abuja over N1.3bn EFCC corruption charges

Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 1 for the fresh arraignment of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, on N1.3 billion corruption allegations filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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The arraignment follows the defendants’ absence in court last Friday, when they were expected to enter pleas over alleged fraud involving fictitious contract awards and the diversion of state funds.

Lamido’s counsel, Mr Joe Agi, SAN, apologised for the absence, citing the late notice and the logistical challenges of travelling from Kano.

EFCC counsel, Mr Chile Okoroma, SAN, expressed surprise that the defendants were not present despite being served with the trial notice.

Justice Lifu confirmed that administrative matters raised by EFCC regarding the original trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, would be determined by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, but set April 1 for the proceedings.

The case, first filed by EFCC in 2015, involves 27 counts of money laundering allegedly committed by Lamido, his sons, and their companies, Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd, during Lamido’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015. EFCC claimed that the defendants laundered funds received as kickbacks from state government contracts.

After EFCC closed its case, Lamido and co-defendants filed a no-case submission in November 2022, which was initially dismissed.

The Court of Appeal in July 2023 overturned the ruling, citing lack of territorial jurisdiction, but the Supreme Court in January 2026 reinstated the charges and ordered the Federal High Court in Abuja to continue the trial.

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The forthcoming arraignment marks a critical stage in the long-running case, signalling renewed judicial scrutiny of alleged high-level corruption in Jigawa State and the accountability of public officeholders.