Ex-power minister loses bid to quash N33.8bn fraud case

File: Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a no-case submission filed by former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in response to the N33.8bn fraud charges filed against him.

Justice James Omotosho, while delivering ruling on the no-case submission, said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had been able to establish a prima facie case against the ex-minister.

The judge ruled that the prosecution had adduced enough evidence to warrant Mamman to put in a defence, particularly considering the seriousness of the allegations against him.

The judge, however, stressed that Mamman remained innocent until proven guilty.

Mamman, who was appointed Minister of Power by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019 and later sacked in September 2021, is facing 12 counts, bordering on money laundering and conspiracy.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024, the EFCC accused him of “indirectly converting” the sum of N33.8bn meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

He was arraigned in July 2024 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In its attempt to prove the charges,the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case.

In response, Mamman filed a no-case submission on November 19, arguing that the prosecution failed to present any credible or reliable evidence before the court to sustain a conviction or require him to enter a defence.

But the EFCC insisted that it had established the allegations, citing the testimonies of its seven witnesses.

Ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho agreed with the prosecution and dismissed Mamman’s no-case submission, ordering him to enter his defence.

The judge said, “I have carefully gone through the evidence presented to the court by the prosecution with respect to this charge.The evidence all point to the establishment of a prima facie case against the defendant.

“The evidence is such that the defendant must proffer some explanation or defence to the allegation made against him, especially considering the seriousness of the offences.

“This court will refrain from evaluating the evidence but will limit itself to stating that on the whole, a prima facie case has been made out against the defendant.This is not to say that the defendant is guilty as charged, but simply that he be afforded his right to a fair hearing and put in his defence before this court.

“This defendant, having not waived his right to defend himself, either expressly or by conduct and the no-case submission made by him having been overruled, he is hereby called upon to put in his defence to the charge against him.”

The court adjourned the matter till February 23, 2026 for Mamman to open his defence.

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