EFCC Seeks Retrial Of Lamido, Sons By Justice Ojukwu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday reiterated its request that former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, his sons, and co-defendants face retrial before the original trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

EFCC counsel, Chile Okoroma, SAN, told Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja that the commission is awaiting a response from the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, regarding its formal request.

He noted that the application aligns with a Supreme Court directive issued earlier this year.

“On the last adjourned date, the court was informed about a letter sent to the Chief Judge seeking authorization for Justice Ojukwu, who is assigned to the Calabar division, to conclude the matter as ordered by the apex court,” Okoroma said.

The EFCC argued that, having called at least 17 witnesses, the case should continue under the former trial judge. The prosecution sought an adjournment to allow the Chief Judge’s official communication to be received. Defence counsel Joe Agi, SAN, did not oppose the application.

Justice Lifu adjourned proceedings to April 30 for re-arraignment or further action. “In the circumstances and in the interest of justice, the case is adjourned for re-arraignment and/or further proceedings,” he said. The defendants’ scheduled re-arraignment on March 13 was stalled due to their absence from court.

The Supreme Court had, on January 16, ordered the retrial, overturning a July 25, 2023 Court of Appeal decision that upheld Lamido and co-defendants’ no-case submission and struck out the 37-count charge against them.

The apex court affirmed Justice Ojukwu’s earlier ruling, which overruled the no-case submissions and instructed the defendants to enter their defence.

The EFCC alleges that Lamido abused his office as governor between 2007 and 2015 by laundering funds received as kickbacks from companies awarded state contracts.

Other defendants include Lamido’s sons Aminu and Mustapha, as well as Aminu Wada Abubakar and their companies, Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.

The directive for retrial follows the Supreme Court ruling, which set aside the earlier Court of Appeal decision that had discharged Lamido and his sons, and ordered that the corruption case involving alleged N1.35 billion fraud be reopened in the Federal High Court.

The EFCC asserts that the funds were illegally obtained and moved through multiple laundering channels.

The matter has been adjourned to April 30 for re‑arraignment or further proceedings as the court awaits the Chief Judge’s response to the EFCC’s request concerning the former trial judge.