N1.35bn alleged fraud: Sule Lamido, sons to spend Sallah behind bars

A federal court has ordered a former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido; his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and one Aminu Wada Abubakar accused of fraud, remanded in prison custody in Kano till September 28.

The former governor was arraigned yesterday alongside his children for receiving N1.35 billion kickback from a government contractor.

The money was allegedly paid into accounts controlled by the governor and his sons.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is accusing the four suspects of money laundering, amongst other charges.

They were due for arraignment on Wednesday, but the court appearance was rescheduled to Thursday.

Security was stepped up around the court vicinity in Kano ahead of the hearing Thursday.

Delivering a ruling, Justice Evelyn Anyadike ordered that the four accused persons be remanded in a Kano Prison custody because the EFCC said they lacked enough facilities to accommodate them.

She rejected the pleas of defence counsel, Effiong Effiong (SAN), that the accused be kept at EFCC custody, saying the commission had complained of inadequate facilities.