Ex-Gov Sule Lamido’s N1.3bn Fraud Trial in Abuja Aborted Again Over Supreme Court Order

EFCC objects to fresh arraignment of Lamido, sons as trial limbo continues

The Federal High Court in Abuja once again could not proceed with the arraignment of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, over alleged N1.3 billion fraud and money laundering.

The case, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was scheduled for April 1, 2026. However, the EFCC objected to a fresh arraignment, citing a Supreme Court ruling that ordered the continuation of a trial initially started in 2015 by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

Supreme Court ruling complicates proceedings

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment delivered on January 16, 2026, set aside a Court of Appeal decision that had previously discharged Lamido and his sons. The apex court ruled that the defendants still have a case to answer and directed that the trial resume in Abuja under Justice Ojukwu.

EFCC counsel, Senior Advocate Chile Okoroma, told Justice Peter Lifu that a fresh arraignment would violate the Supreme Court order and requested adjournment to await a fiat to bring Justice Ojukwu back from Calabar.

“We do not want the court’s time to be wasted on a fresh arraignment,” Okoroma said, adding that the EFCC had already called 17 witnesses before closing its case.

Following no objection from Joe Agi, SAN, representing the Lamidos, the matter was adjourned to April 30, 2026, pending the Chief Judge’s response.

Background of the case

The EFCC originally charged Lamido, his sons, and their companies—Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd—in 2015 on 27 counts of money laundering. The allegations involve funds allegedly siphoned from Jigawa State through fictitious contract awards during Lamido’s governorship from 2007 to 2015.

After the EFCC closed its case, the defendants filed a no-case submission, claiming insufficient evidence. This was initially upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2023, citing lack of territorial jurisdiction, but the Supreme Court later overturned that ruling.

The trial, which has spanned over a decade, remains in legal limbo, highlighting the complexities of prosecuting high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria.