EFCC Petitions Chief Judge for Retrial of Former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido Following Supreme Court Mandate

The EFCC seeks Chief Judge approval for Justice Ojukwu to conclude the Sule Lamido corruption trial following a Supreme Court order for a fresh hearing.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 7:43 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Politics Nigeria

A Renewed Judicial Push for Accountability

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-initiated its legal battle against the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, signaling a determined effort to see the long running corruption case to its conclusion. During a session at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the commission’s lead counsel, Chile Okoroma, SAN, informed the court that the agency is actively seeking the return of the original trial judge. This strategic request is designed to ensure that the proceedings resume exactly where they were interrupted, maintaining the momentum of a case that has already spanned several years of investigation and litigation.

The Strategy to Retain Trial Continuity

Central to the EFCC’s current application is the request for Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu to be granted special approval by Chief Judge John Tsoho to finalize the matter. The commission argues that because the prosecution has already presented seventeen witnesses, starting the trial from the beginning before a new judge would result in an unnecessary waste of judicial resources. Counsel Okoroma stated that a formal letter has been dispatched to the Chief Judge explaining why the directives of the Supreme Court necessitate this specific administrative arrangement. The commission is currently awaiting an official response to determine the path forward for the high profile trial.

Overturning the Appellate Court’s Jurisdictional Ruling

The current push for a retrial is the direct result of a landmark January 16 decision by the Supreme Court which fundamentally altered the trajectory of the case. Previously, the Court of Appeal in Abuja had favored the defendants by upholding a no case submission and striking out the charges on the grounds that the Federal High Court lacked proper jurisdiction. However, a five member panel of the apex court unanimously reversed that judgment, restoring the validity of the 37 count charge. This ruling effectively validated the earlier position held by Justice Ojukwu, who had originally ordered the defendants to open their defense against the allegations.