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.

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.”

Several ambassadorial nominees, including former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, appeared before the Senate on Thursday for their screening.

They were among a long list of nominees who arrived early at the National Assembly complex ahead of the exercise.

Also in attendance were former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Grace Bent, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Nora Daduut, and other former ministers, lawmakers, and serving ambassadors invited for the session.

Following brief introductions, the Senate applied its long-standing tradition of allowing former ministers, ambassadors, and lawmakers to “take a bow and leave,” concluding their appearance without further questioning.

Details later…