The trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, continued on Wednesday as a prosecution witness presented fresh banking documents before the court.
The First Prosecution Witness, Umar Abba, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, tendered the documents before Justice Maryann Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
Mamman and seven others are standing trial over an alleged fraud involving N31.07 billion.
The co-defendants are Mustapha Abubakar Bida, Joseph Omotayo Adewunmi, Ben Nsikak, Stephen Ojo, Oladipo Adebowale, Michael Achua and Ogunjobi Olusila.
They are facing a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and intent to defraud.
Bank documents tendered in court
While being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Abba presented account opening packages, signatory mandates, statements of account and certificates of identification.
The documents relate to several companies, including 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 documents were generated from the bank’s system after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission requested them in March 2025.
According to him, the anti-graft agency wrote to the bank asking for the records, which were subsequently supplied.
The court admitted the documents in evidence without objection and marked them as Exhibits A1 to A4, B1 to B4 and C1 to C4.
Witness cross-examined
During cross-examination, the witness said he did not personally know Mamman and only became aware that the defendant had an account with the bank.
He also confirmed that the EFCC’s letter requesting the documents was not copied to the account holders.
Abba explained that copying such correspondence to customers is prohibited by banking regulations and standard practice.
Court dismisses application
Earlier, Justice Anineh ruled on an application filed by the second defendant challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge held that an application for a stay of proceedings in a criminal matter cannot be entertained and consequently struck out the application.
Counsel to the second defendant later informed the court about another application filed on February 28, 2026, seeking permission for his client to travel for Hajj.
Defendant allowed to travel for Hajj
Responding to the request, the prosecution confirmed that it had filed a counter-affidavit.
After hearing arguments from both parties, the court granted the application.
Justice Anineh ordered the defendant to return to the country by March 23, 2026 and submit his international passport to the court registrar no later than March 24, 2026.
The court adjourned the case until March 25, 2026 for continuation of trial.
