Alleged 33.8bn Fraud: Mamman’s Lawyer Fails To Produce Witness In Court

The trial of the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja could not continue today due to the inability of the defence team to produce its witness in court.

At today’s proceedings, the defence counsel, Femi Atteh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) had informed the court that he was unable to subpoena its witness because the witness was unavailable in the office.

He therefore sought additional time to enable him to subpoena the witness.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till February 26, 2026 for the defendant to open his defence.

Mamman is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 12-count charge, bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of 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).

Seven others charged with him include, Mustapha Abubakar Bida, Joseph Omotayo Adewunmi, Ben Nsikak, Stephen Ojo, Oladipo Adebowale, Michael Achua and Ogunjobi Olusila

The Eagle reports that Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja had, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 frowned at the antics of the defence counsel to waste time in the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman.

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Reacting to the counsel to the second defendant, Temitayo Sonuyi, SAN’s objection to the commencement of trial, owing to his application before the court on the issue of jurisdiction which he wanted to be determined before going ahead with the trial, Justice Anenih had stated that the prayers in the affidavit, brought by the counsel were not ripe for hearing as she will need time to read it before delivering her ruling.

“I have listened to both parties, however, reading the prayers, I cannot take the prayers in the application when I have not seen or read it.

“It is not ripe for hearing at this point and the final process is not in the case file before me. If you want the application to be processed today, the proper thing has to be done earlier because I have to go through the application.

“I cannot come here and sit down and waste time for nothing to be done today. Counsel please let’s proceed with the trial. When we come during the next adjourned date I can deliver my ruling,” she had said.