The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has insisted that the retrial of former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido on alleged N1.35 billion fraud charges should be handled by the original trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu. The anti graft agency revealed it has written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting that Justice Ojukwu, who was transferred to the Calabar division, be brought back to Abuja to continue with the case.
Lamido, his two sons Aminu and Mustapha, and some companies are facing a 37 count charge bordering on money laundering and alleged diversion of funds linked to Jigawa State contracts while he was governor. The defendants were first arraigned in 2015, but in July 2023 the Court of Appeal upheld their no case submissions and struck out the charges, prompting the EFCC to appeal to the Supreme Court.
On January 16, 2026, a five member panel of the Supreme Court set aside the Court of Appeal judgment and ordered that the former governor and his co defendants be retried. Following the apex court’s decision, the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed April 1 for their fresh arraignment on the restored 37 count charge.
At the resumed proceedings, EFCC counsel Chile Okoroma informed the court about the letter sent to the Chief Judge, arguing that bringing back Justice Ojukwu would ensure continuity and save the time already spent on the matter. He maintained that the judge, having previously heard several witnesses, is in a better position to conclude the trial without starting afresh before another judge.
Presiding judge Justice Peter Lifu noted that the request for reassignment is purely an administrative issue for the Chief Judge to decide. He therefore adjourned the case to a new date to await the outcome of the EFCC’s letter and to allow all parties to be properly served and prepared for the fresh plea taking.
The EFCC’s push has again highlighted concerns over delays in high profile corruption trials and the impact of frequent judicial transfers. Lamido and the other defendants remain on bail as the legal tussle over who should preside over the retrial continues.
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