Justice Babatunde Quadri of Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned trial of former Governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido, until Nov. 15.
Lamido is being prosecuted alongside his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and two others by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 27-count charge bordering on abuse of office and money laundering.
At the resumed hearing, counsel for the defendants, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his appearance in the matter for the first time.
Agabi said “I am coming here for the first time in this case and I am pleading with the court to give me time to familiarise with the case.
“I know this is a court of justice and the court is interested in a speedy trial but I am pleading for time to get to know about the case.”
The senior advocate took over from Joe Agi (SAN), who was the defendants counsel.
The prosecuting counsel, Chile Okoroma, who did not oppose the defense counsel’s plea, told the court that he had assembled his witnesses and they were ready to go on with the trial.
He said he would not oppose the defendants’ right to adequate defense representation in the interest of justice.
Consequently, Justice Quadri adjourned the matter until Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 for the continuation of trial.
It would be recalled that Justice Babatunde Quadri had on July 7 dismissed an application by the former governor requesting that the trial be returned to former trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.
Justice Ibrahim Auta, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, assigned the case to Justice Quadri when Justice Ademola went on suspension following corruption charge against him and his wife.
But following judgment exonerating Ademola and wife, Agi requested that the Chief Judge return the case to him.
