Former Kaduna Governor Begs Judge To Release ex-Gov. Lamido & Sons From Prison

A former military administrator of the old Kaduna State, Abubakar Umar, has condemned a federal court’s decision to remand the immediate past governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and his sons, Aminu and Mustapha, in prison for nearly three months over corruption charges.

Mr. Lamido and his sons were arraigned on Thursday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on allegations of money laundering, amongst other charges.

PREMIUM TIMES, reports that Mr. Umar said, “The offence for which Sule Lamido and his two sons were charged is clearly a clearly bailable offence. This is why it appears strange that not only were they refused bail but they are remanded in prison custody for about three months”.

He said the judge’s decision to keep the accused persons till September for hearing of their bail application means the former governor and his sons have started serving prison sentences even before the commencement of their trial.

“It behoves on all men of good conscience to appeal to the trial Judge to reconsider this high-handed decision. The principle of the accused being adjudged innocent until proven guilty must apply in this case,” Mr. Umar said.

He added that, “We are also aware that persons with similar cases had been granted and are being granted bail. We appeal to the trial judge to temper justice with mercy by granting Governor Sule Lamido and his sons bail”.