Nigeria’s former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, will know his fate on June 9 as the Federal High Court in Abuja fixes judgment in his ₦33.8 billion trial, after the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho heard final arguments from both sides of the case.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and defence lawyer, Femi Atteh (SAN), formally adopted their final written addresses and asked the court to rule in their favour.
The defence counsel, Atteh, told the court that his response to the prosecution’s final address was filed on April 1. He argued that the EFCC had not proved its allegations beyond reasonable doubt and urged the court to discharge and acquit former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, of all charges.
On the other hand, EFCC counsel, Oyedepo, said the prosecution’s final written address, filed on April 14, set out why the defendant should be convicted on all 12 counts. He maintained that evidence before the court showed alleged movement of public funds through Bureau de Change operators, with links to the defendant.
He further relied on testimonies from prosecution witnesses, including a Bureau de Change operator and a former aide, insisting they supported the corruption allegations.
“The evidence before the court speaks for itself”, Oyedepo argued, urging the judge to reject the defence and return a conviction.
Mamman, who served as Minister of Power from 2019 to 2021 under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, was arraigned on charges bordering on alleged financial misconduct involving ₦33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
He pleaded not guilty to the 12-count amended charge filed by the EFCC in July 2024.
During the trial, the anti-graft agency called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case. The defence later filed a no-case submission in November 2025, insisting that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence.
However, in December 2025, the court dismissed the application, holding that a prima facie case had been established and that the defendant must enter a defence, while maintaining that Mamman remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
