A Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has criticised counsel to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, over what it described as “time-wasting antics” during proceedings in his ongoing ₦31 billion fraud trial.
Justice Maryann Anenih issued the rebuke after Mamman’s counsel, Temitayo Sonuyi, SAN, objected to the commencement of trial and insisted that the court must first determine a pending application challenging its jurisdiction.
Mamman and seven other defendants are facing a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, false pretence, and intent to defraud the Federal Government of ₦31,070,541,349.64.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih stated that the jurisdictional application was not ripe for hearing, noting that the final processes were not yet before the court. She stressed that proper procedure should have been followed earlier if the application was intended to be heard on that day.
“I cannot come here and sit down and waste time for nothing to be done today,” the judge said, adding that the court could not consider prayers in an application it had not fully reviewed.
Earlier, Sonuyi informed the court of two applications filed on December 5 and 10, 2025, which challenged both the charge and the court’s jurisdiction. However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to proceed with the trial, noting that witnesses were already in court and suggesting that the jurisdiction issue could be addressed later to avoid delays.
Following the prosecution’s response, Sonuyi applied to withdraw his affidavit in reaction to the counter-affidavit, stating that he needed to “put his house in order.”
Counsel to the sixth defendant, J. A. Egwaede, also told the court that he was served with the prosecution’s counter-affidavit in court and requested an adjournment to enable him file a response.
Justice Anenih granted the request, emphasising the need to hear the jurisdiction application and to ensure that all defendants are given a fair opportunity to respond.
The case was adjourned to February 18, March 11, and March 25, 2026, for ruling on the applications and continuation of the trial.
