The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman’s bid to end his trial early, ruling that he must enter his defence in the N33.8 billion money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Justice James Omotosho gave the ruling on Thursday while rejecting Mamman’s no-case submission. The judge held that the prosecution had presented enough material to establish a prima facie case, making it necessary for the defendant to respond to the allegations.

According to the judge, the evidence presented by the EFCC required explanations from Mamman, especially given the seriousness of the offences. He stated that the court could not stop the trial at this stage and that the defendant must address the issues raised by the prosecution.

The EFCC arraigned Mamman in July 2024 on 12 counts of money laundering and conspiracy. The commission alleged that he worked with ministry officials and private companies to indirectly convert N33.8 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from August 2019 until his removal in September 2021, pleaded not guilty to all charges, prompting a full trial.

After his plea, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case. Mamman, instead of opening his defence, filed a no-case submission on 19 November, arguing that the prosecution failed to link him to the alleged offences. The EFCC opposed his application.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho sided with the prosecution, insisting that a prima facie case had been established. He ordered Mamman to open his defence, noting that the court would not evaluate the strength of the evidence until the conclusion of the trial.

The judge emphasised that the ruling did not amount to a finding of guilt. He reminded the parties that the defendant remained presumed innocent until proven otherwise and that the prosecution still carried the burden of proving the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Omotosho added that allowing Mamman to present his defence was necessary to ensure fairness and to address unresolved issues before the court reaches a final decision.

Fuji music star Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM1) has formally submitted the required genealogical data form to the Fusengbuwa ruling house, the lineage next in line to produce the Awujale of Ijebu Ode.

Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, confirmed the submission to The PUNCH on Wednesday, stating that the family has called for an emergency meeting on Thursday at Ile Nla to discuss Ayinde’s aspiration.

Awujale stool became vacant in July following the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona.

“The essence of filling the royal lineage data form, where contenders trace their genealogy back seven generations to establish their membership in the Fusengbuwa ruling house, is to prevent outsiders from claiming the throne,” Owoyemi said.

He added that once a contender is confirmed as a member of the ruling house, they can then apply for the expression of interest form.

Although the official collection of forms closed on Friday, December 5, the family granted Ayinde an additional five days, which lapsed on Wednesday, December 10.

“Yes, he has sent someone to submit his form, and the family will meet on Thursday to discuss the nomination issues,” Owoyemi said.

Ayinde, who already holds the traditional title of Olori Omooba of Ijebu land (a title of prince consort or ranking prince), is known to be traditionally associated with the Fidipote ruling house. His decision to contest through the Jadiara unit of the Fusengbuwa ruling house has surprised many.

His submitted form reportedly indicates his descent from the Setejoye family unit of the Jadiara ruling house, through his father, Adisa Adesanya Anifowoshe.

Despite the submission, two key family heads have publicly disputed KWAM1’s claimed lineage, creating a major hurdle for his application.

The Chairman of the Jadiara ruling house, Otunba Akinola Odedina, has disputed Ayinde’s claim.

In a letter circulating online, Odedina said, “I can say categorically that Wasiu has no genealogical lineage to Jadiara Royal House.

The Chairman of Fusengbuwa Ruling House may have given him a nomination form, expecting him to authenticate his roots. We have waited for him to present his documents to prove his linkage to Jadiara Royal House. He is yet to show up.”

Similarly, the Chairman of the Bubiade royal family, Alhaji O. B. Yusuf, said neither Ayinde nor his father is related to the family.

Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria also known as Shi’ite, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has accused the United States of creating Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Speaking in a trending video, El-Zakzaky said the US is funding the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and ISIS.

While noting that politicians in government are responsible for insecurity in Nigeria, the Islamic leader wondered how cattle rearers suddenly acquired weapons and armoured vehicles in the bushes.

He said: “The Insecurity Problem in Nigeria was created by politicians in power and If they want to stop it today, they would because they are the ones who engineered it.

“How come those people who are known to be cattle rearers have guns in the bush? How come those people they call bandits have armoured vehicles in the bushes and they call them terrorists?

“Where did this tankers comes from? From the earth or they moved through? Everybody knows that authorities are behind this insecurity, if they want to stop it today, they can stop it.

”By inviting the US which we know very clearly that they are behind all these insecurity, US created Boko Haram, US is funding Boko Haram, US created ISWAP, they created ISIS, and they confessed it openly.

“They said that they would use terrorism to conquer Africa, now you expect them to bring the remedy to what they caused, what do you expect? Mass killings of people.

“They will come to steal our resources, you will see them where there is gold, oil, gas, and other security resources. That is why you will see them protecting Christians in Zamfara and Katsina.”