Alleged N1.3b Fraud: Lamido, Son, Family Businesses To Face Fresh Arraignment

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC will on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, arraign the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido before Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for the commencement of his fresh trial for alleged N1.3 billion fraud.

Lamido will be arraigned alongside his two sons, Aminu Lamido and Mustapha Lamido, as well as their two companies, Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd. He, and his sons committed the alleged fraud through acceptance of kick-backs and fictitious contract awards, while the first defendant was governor from 2007-2015.

The new arraignment date followed the failure of the defendants to present themselves in court on the initial arraignment date of Friday, March 13, 2026.

Defence counsel, Joe Agi, SAN, who apologised for the aborted arraignment claimed that the absence of the defendants was as a result of the arraignment date that got to them at a short notice. He promised to make them available on the April 1 adjourned date.

Meanwhile, prosecution counsel, Chile Okoroma, SAN, expressed dismay at the absence of the defendants in court, stating that they were properly served the arraignment notice and in good time.

He disclosed that the prosecution wrote to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, demanding that the initial trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, now on transfer to Calabar, Cross River State be brought back to Abuja for the trial of the defendants. Justice Lifu stated that the request of the prosecution was an administrative issue that would be determined by the Chief Judge and went ahead fixed April 1 for the new arraignment date.

The EFCC in 2015 charged the defendants before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of Federal High Court, Abuja on 27-count charge, bordering on money laundering, official corruption and abuse of office to the tune of N1.3 billion.

The defendants filed a no‑case submission, after the prosecution had called about 17 witnesses and closed its case, arguing that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence to require them to defend themselves. However, in November 2022, Justice Ojukwu dismissed the no-case submission and ordered them to enter their defence.

Rather than do so, the defendants appealed the ruling and in July 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld their no‑case submission and discharged them. The appellate court further held that the Abuja Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter, stating that the trial should have been conducted in Jigawa State, where the alleged offences occurred.

Sule Lamido

In August 2023, EFCC proceeded to the Supreme Court, asking the Apex Court to overturn the ruling of the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment of a five‑member panel, delivered by Justice Abubakar Umar, in January 16, 2026, set aside the ruling of the Appeal Court and held that the defendants have a case to answer.

It further ordered that the matter be returned to the Federal High Court for continuation of trial, thus setting the stage for a fresh arraignment of the defendants.

President Tinubu Establishes Petroleum Reform, Value Optimisation Task Force

President Tinubu establishes petroleum reform, value optimisation task force. President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of a Presidential Petroleum Reform and Value Optimisation Task Force to design the next phase of reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Tinubu appointed Fola Adeola, co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank and founder of Fate Foundation, as chairman of the task force.

Mr Adeola will coordinate the group’s activities and ensure the timely delivery of its mandate.

Other members include Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Osagie Okunbor, Abubakar Suleiman, Adaeze Aguele, Farouk Gumel, Phillipa Osakwe-Okoye and Seyi Bella.

Mofoluwasho Fadayomi will serve as secretary of the task force.

According to Mr Onanuga, the group is a time-bound executive working body mandated to produce execution-ready reform blueprints for Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

“The task force will consolidate ongoing reforms, unlock capital within the sector and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a global energy investment destination,” he said.

He added that the initiative reflected the president’s commitment to building a competitive, transparent and value-driven petroleum industry.

“The task force will function as a technical reform body rather than a representative committee,” Mr Onanuga said.

He said the group would engage industry operators, regulators, investors and civil society organisations.

“The focus will remain on actionable policy design and implementation strategies,” he said.

Mr Onanuga said the task force would report directly to the president and submit monthly progress memoranda.

He added that an interim report would be delivered after three months, while the final report is expected within six months of inauguration.

Mr Tinubu expects the task force to produce three major reform blueprints.

One deliverable is an implementation toolkit for immediate structural fixes, including draft legislative amendments, executive instruments and institutional restructuring proposals.

Another is a Capital and Liquidity Acceleration Blueprint designed to unlock between five and ten billion dollars in sectoral liquidity.

The blueprint is also expected to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereign interests while attracting investment into the industry.

The third deliverable is a National Energy Transformation Strategy.

The strategy will provide a ten-year roadmap with measurable targets for production, foreign exchange earnings, GDP contribution and cost competitiveness.

Mr Tinubu directed all ministries, departments and agencies in the sector to provide full technical support to the task force.

President Tinubu

He also instructed them to submit inventories of ongoing initiatives to ensure alignment with the emerging reform framework.

The president further directed existing committees and reform teams in the petroleum sector to align their activities with the new task force.

The move, according to Mr Onanuga, will prevent duplication of mandates and ensure institutional coordination.

“All relevant documentation and ongoing workstreams must be made available to support the task force’s work,” he said.

The task force will automatically dissolve after submitting and securing acceptance of its final report.

NIGCOMSAT Director Jane Egerton-Idehen, Led Delegation To NAF HQ

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, Jane Egerton-Idehen, led a delegation to the Nigerian Air Force HQ Air Force on March 11, 2026.

The team was warmly received by the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke.

During the visit, Mrs. Egerton-Idehen expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Air Force with secure, reliable, and innovative satellite-enabled solutions tailored to defence and national security needs.

She noted that deepening collaboration with the Air Force aligns with NIGCOMSAT’s mandate to deliver resilient communications infrastructure for critical national institutions.

In his remarks, Air Marshal Aneke highlighted the growing importance of space-enabled capabilities in modern military operations and commended NIGCOMSAT’s pioneering role in satellite communications and its contributions to national development and security.

NIGCOMSAT

He emphasised opportunities to expand collaboration in key areas including secure satellite communications for operations and training, real-time situational awareness through satellite imagery and data, capacity building in communications technologies, and the adoption of innovative solutions that enhance mission readiness and inter-agency coordination.

Both leaders expressed optimism that continued engagement and concrete outcomes from the visit will further strengthen operational coordination, technological advancement, and national security.