Court Orders Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman to Open Defence in N33.8bn Fraud Trial

Court has ordered Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman to open defence in N33.8bn fraud trial.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a no-case submission filed by former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has established a prima facie case against him.

 

Delivering the ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho held that the evidence presented by the EFCC was substantial enough to require the former minister to offer explanations in his defence, especially given the gravity of the allegations.

 

ALSO: Trump Unveils “Gold Card” Program Offering Fast-Track U.S. Residency for $1 Million

 

According to the judge, while Mamman remains presumed innocent, the prosecution had tendered evidence that “points to the establishment of a prima facie case,” making it necessary for him to respond.

 

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari between August 2019 and September 2021, is standing trial on a 12-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

 

The EFCC alleges that he conspired with ministry officials and private companies to launder and “indirectly convert” N33.8 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in July 2024.

 

To prove its case, the anti-graft agency called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case. However, Mamman, through his lawyer, filed a no-case submission on November 19, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish evidence warranting a defence.

 

The EFCC countered the application, insisting that the testimonies of PW1–PW17 and the exhibits tendered clearly linked the defendant to the alleged offences.

 

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho agreed with the prosecution, stressing that the law only requires a minimal connection at this stage to establish a prima facie case.

 

He emphasised that overruling the no-case submission does not imply guilt but simply ensures that the defendant is given the opportunity to exercise his constitutional right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

 

The court subsequently ordered Mamman to enter his defence and set February 23, 2026, for the opening of the defence.