The trial of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, over an alleged ₦1.35 billion fraud was adjourned on Monday after the lead defence counsel, Joe Agi (SAN), failed to appear in court due to health reasons.

Lamido and his sons are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a 37-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, kickbacks and fictitious contract awards.

The anti-graft agency alleges that the offences, involving about ₦1.35 billion, were committed while Lamido served as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Chile Okoroma (SAN) informed the court that Agi had written to explain his absence, citing a medical procedure, and requested an adjournment.

While wishing the defence counsel a speedy recovery, Okoroma argued that another lawyer from Agi’s team could have appeared to ensure the trial proceeded, noting that the case has been pending since 2015.

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He also pointed out that Justice Ojukwu had travelled from her Calabar judicial division to sit in Abuja for the proceedings and urged the court to grant only a one-day adjournment.

Justice Ojukwu agreed and adjourned the matter until Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for continuation of the trial.