Former Minister of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, will proceed to trial after the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that he has a case to answer in the alleged N33.8 billion money-laundering scandal linked to major power projects.
Justice James Omotosho gave the decision on Thursday, dismissing Mamman’s request to be discharged without entering a defence.
The judge held that evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was enough to require the former minister to explain his role in the alleged diversion of funds.
The EFCC had earlier closed its case after calling 17 witnesses, including ministry staff and investigators, who testified on how billions meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects were allegedly diverted.
Mamman, however, asked the court to dismiss the charges, insisting that none of NAIJAONPOINT es provided credible evidence linking him to the funds.
His legal team argued that the testimonies collapsed under cross-examination and that the prosecution failed to establish any wrongdoing on his part. But the court disagreed.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the evidence presented established a prima facie case that required the former minister to provide explanations.
He said the EFCC had raised substantive issues that could not be ignored at this stage, noting that directing Mamman to enter a defence does not imply guilt.
The judge also referenced the constitutional right to fair hearing, stressing that the decision was only to allow the defendant address the allegations before a final verdict is made.
Mamman’s presumption of innocence, he said, remains intact until the prosecution proves its claims beyond reasonable doubt.
The trial was adjourned to February 23, 2026, when the former minister will open his defence. The matter is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
Mamman, who was removed from office in 2021, had been arrested months later after investigations allegedly linked him to the diversion of large sums meant for federal power projects.
The court had earlier granted him bail in July 2024, setting the conditions at N10 billion with two sureties owning properties valued at no less than N750 million in Abuja.
One of the charges states:
“That you, Saleh Kwsgyang Mamman (Male), sometime in 2019… indirectly convert the total sum of =N=33,804,830,503.73 … which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity… relating to the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects…”