EFCC Seeks Retrial of Ex-Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is advocating for a fresh trial of Sule Lamido, the former Governor of Jigawa State, alongside his son, Aminu Mustapha Lamido. This development follows a January 16 Supreme Court ruling that ordered the retrial of the case after the apex court unanimously overturned a previous Court of Appeal decision that had favored the defendants.

The Supreme Court set aside a July 25, 2023 judgment that upheld a no-case submission by Lamido and others, restoring the earlier ruling by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, which dismissed the no-case submission and directed the defendants to open their defense. The EFCC's counsel, Chile Okoroma, informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that 17 witnesses had already been called in the earlier proceedings, which were interrupted.

The case, which involves 37 counts of alleged abuse of office and money laundering, is set for re-arraignment on April 30, 2024, after an adjournment was granted by Justice Peter Lifu.