Fresh documentary evidence was presented on Wednesday in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, over an alleged N31.07 billion fraud, before Justice Maryann Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Mamman is standing trial alongside seven others—Mustapha Abubakar Bida, Joseph Omotayo Adewunmi, Ben Nsikak, Stephen Ojo, Oladipo Adebowale, Michael Achua and Ogunjobi Olusila—on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and intent to defraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the defendants were involved in fraudulent transactions amounting to N31,070,541,349.64.
At the resumed hearing, the first prosecution witness, Umar Abba, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank, tendered several banking documents relating to companies allegedly linked to the transactions under investigation.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness presented account opening packages, signatory mandates, statements of accounts and certificates of identification for multiple firms. These include Spinhills Biz International Limited, Silverline Ocean Ventures Limited, Beaver Builders Limited, Gurupche Business Enterprise, Breathable Investment Limited, First-class Construction Project Limited, Royal Perimeter Ventures, Dannywest Limited, Dorino Bright Limited and Sipikin Global Ventures Limited.
Abba told the court that the EFCC requested the documents through a letter sent to the bank in March 2025, after which the records were retrieved from the bank’s system and forwarded to the anti-graft agency.
The documents were admitted in evidence without objection from the defence and marked as exhibits A1–A4, B1–B4 and C1–C4.
During cross-examination, the witness said he did not personally know the defendants, noting only that Mamman maintained an account with the bank.
He also informed the court that the EFCC’s request for the documents was not copied to the account holders, explaining that banking regulations prohibit such disclosure.
Earlier, Justice Anineh dismissed an application filed by the second defendant challenging the jurisdiction of the court, ruling that a stay of proceedings in a criminal matter cannot be entertained.
Counsel to the second defendant also applied for permission for his client to travel for the Hajj pilgrimage. After considering arguments from both sides, the court granted the request but ordered the defendant to return to Nigeria on March 23, 2026, and submit his international passport to the court registrar by March 24.
The case was subsequently adjourned to March 25, 2026, for continuation of trial.
