By Yemi Akinsuyi
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, December 11, 2025 struck out a no-case submission made by former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, ordering him to commence his defence.
Omotosho, while delivering his ruling held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had been able to establish a prima facie case against Mamman, adding that the defendant must proffer some explanations on the evidence before the court.
“I have carefully gone through the evidence presented to the court by the prosecution with respect to this charge. The evidence all points 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 fair hearing and put in his defence before this court. The evidence of the prosecution has found sufficient ground for proceeding with this trial”, he said.
He further ordered Mamman to enter his defence and prove the allegation made against him, considering the seriousness of the allegations, adding that the defendant is still innocent until proven guilty.
Mamman through his lawyers had earlier filed a No- case application on November 19, 2025 following the prosecution ‘s closure of its case after calling 17 prosecution witnesses (PWs) and tendered 43 exhibits.
During Thursday’s ruling, Justice Omotosho ordered Mamman to open his defence in line with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution to give explanations on some of the evidence tendered by the EFCC and to allow him exhaust his options for defence and to clear every unresolved issue which may weigh on the mind of the court in reaching a final decision
Mamman is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-three Kobo).
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till February 23, 2026, for the defendant to commence his defence.
