Court sets new arraignment date for ex-governor Lamido and sons
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a fresh arraignment for former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons over an alleged N1.35bn money laundering case. The case also involves two companies linked to the family, Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges, alleging kickbacks from state contracts. Multiple legal proceedings have taken place, with the Supreme Court recently restoring the charges.
What we know
- The Federal High Court in Abuja fixed April 1 for the fresh arraignment of Sule Lamido, his sons Aminu and Mustapha, and two companies over alleged N1.35bn money laundering.
- The defendants were absent in court, and their counsel, Joe Agi (SAN), apologised, citing late notice and travel constraints.
- The EFCC had filed a 27-count charge in 2015, alleging the funds were laundered through kickbacks from government contracts during Lamido's tenure between 2007 and 2015.
- In November 2022, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu dismissed the defendants' no-case submission and ordered them to open their defence.
- On January 16, 2026, the Supreme Court set aside the Court of Appeal's decision and restored the charges, ordering the trial to continue at the Federal High Court.
