Ex-minister Mamman to answer charges in N33.8bn money laundering case

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, December 11, 2025, ordered former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to commence his defence in a high-profile fraud trial, dismissing his no-case submission.

Justice James Omotosho, while delivering the ruling, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had established a prima facie case against Mamman. He said the former minister must provide explanations on the evidence presented 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,” Justice Omotosho stated.

The judge clarified that the ruling does not imply Mamman’s guilt but ensures that he is afforded his constitutional right to a fair hearing. “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,” he added.

Mamman, through his lawyers, had filed the no-case application on November 19, 2025, following the prosecution’s closure of its case after calling 17 witnesses and tendering 43 exhibits.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho directed Mamman to open his defence in line with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, allowing him to address the evidence tendered by the EFCC and resolve any issues that may influence the court’s final judgement.

The former minister is facing a 12-count charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering involving 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).

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