- Former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido may face a fresh trial as court returns his case file
- Lamido was arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Ademola in September 2015 on an amended 43-count charge
- Justice Babatunde Quadri directed the continuation of the trial before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court
The corruption trial of former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido and others before the Federal High Court in Abuja may start afresh as the trial judge has remitted the case file to the acting chief judge for further directives.
Daily Trust reports that Justice Babatunde Quadri ruled on Monday, January 29, while citing the decision of the Court of Appeal directing the continuation of the trial before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court.
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“In view of the recent directives, the case is hereby remitted to the Central Registry to await the decision of the Chief Justice,” Justice Quadri said.
NAIJ.com gathered that the order followed an oral application by defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) informing the court on the order of the Court of Appeal in Abuja for the return of the case file to Justice Adeniyi Ademola.
Justice Ademola had conducted the trial receiving the evidence of 16 witnesses before he was implicated in corruption charges and later acquitted in June 2017. His retirement from judicial service last year made it difficult to implement the order of the Court of Appeal.
Lamido was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Ademola in September 2015 on an amended 43-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and money laundering valued at N1.351 billion.
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Those charged with him are his two sons: Aminu and Mustapha; a former aide Wada Abubakar and four companies: Bamaina Holdings Ltd, Bamaina Company Nigeria Ltd, Bamaina Alumunium Ltd, Speeds International Ltd and Batholomew Darlington Agoha.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that a former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, was in Abia on Tuesday, January 24, where he reportedly described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as government of amateur politicians that lack the power to unite Nigerians.
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Source: Naija.ng