Alleged Fraud: Ex-Power Minister, Mamman, Close Defence

A former minister of power,  Saleh Mamman, has told Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not made a prima facie case linking him to an alleged complicity in a N31.70b fraud.

The minister while closing his defence on the case urged the court to dismiss the charges against him.

He relied on both his evidence and testimonies of some of the prosecution witnesses whom he claimed had exonerated him from the alleged fraud.

Justice Omotosho stopped the attempt by the defendant to call a subpoenaed witness, Abdulkareem Ibrahim Ozi, who had already testified as a prosecution witness as (Pw2), as his witness in the matter. The court upheld the objection raised by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation and held, “What I know is that, a witness having testified in court, even though he is a witness of the court, having been cross-examined by the other party, he can’t be called to give evidence without reason.

This procedure is strange and not known to our jurisprudence. However, the defence is not foreclosed to call him for cross- examination.”

Earlier in the proceedings, the matter which was slated for the defendant to enter his defense had the defence counsel prayed the court that the subpoenaed witness should testify as a defence witness even though he has been called by the prosecution.

He relied on Section 256 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

The former minister has since denied the allegation that he personally instructed such payments.