The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday re-arraigned former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, his sons and five others before the Federal High Court Abuja.

They all pleaded not guilty to the 43 counts charges bordering on corruption and misappropriation of state’s funds.

Presiding Judge, Justice Quadri dismissed the defendants’ request to have the case transferred back to the former trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

Justice Ademola had been suspended while being prosecuted alongside his wife and a senior advocate of Nigeria, Joe Agi.

The judge ruled that since Agi remained the defendants’ lead counsel, in order to avert every form of “misplaced impression of bias,” it was better not to return the case to Justice Ademola.

After the defendants pleaded not guilty to the amended charges, their lawyer, Mr. Offiong Offiong (SAN), urged the court to grant bail conditions in the same conditions and terms imposed by Justice Ademola.

Justice Babatunde Quadri subsequently granted bail to Lamido in the sum of N100m and two sureties in like sum.

The ex-governor’s sons and the other defendants were granted bail each in the sum of N50m and two sureties in like sum.

Sureties for the defendants must have landed properties in Abuja, and must be civil servants free from any criminal indictment.

The sureties are also required to present letters from their respective organisations.

The judge also ordered the EFCC to verify the addresses of the sureties.

Justice Quadri fixed October 18 and 19 for the commencement of trial.