Alleged N1.35bn Fraud: Lamido, EFCC Clash Over Subpoenaed Witness in Court

A former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday disagreed over a subpoenaed witness brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja in connection with the alleged N1.35 billion fraud case against the former governor.

The disagreement arose shortly before proceedings resumed in the ongoing trial.

Lamido is being prosecuted by the EFCC over allegations of money laundering involving about N1.35 billion.

The former governor is standing trial alongside his two sons, Aminu Lamido and Mustapha Lamido, as well as Aminu Wada Abubakar and two companies, Bamaina Holdings Limited and Speeds International Limited.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the defendants, Joe Agi (SAN), informed the court that the defence had earlier applied for the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, or any other official of the commission, to be summoned to testify for the defence after the court dismissed the defendants’ no-case submission.

The development led to a disagreement between the defence and the anti-graft agency over the appropriateness of the witness produced in response to the subpoena.

The trial is expected to continue as the court determines issues surrounding the witness’s testimony and the defence’s application.

Separately, Lamido was also reported to have described former President Muhammadu Buhari’s integrity as “a fraud,” a remark that has generated reactions in political circles.

Further proceedings in the case have been adjourned for continuation of hearing.