Court Stops Mamman`s Counsel From An Unauthorized Witness In Alleged 33.8bn Fraud Case

Court stops Mamman`s counsel from an unauthorized witness in alleged 33.8bn fraud case. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, stopped a defence counsel , Femi Atteh, SAN from using an unauthorized witness.

Omotosho held that a subpoenaed witness, Abdulkareem Ibrahim Ozi was already a prosecution witness in the matter as Pw2 and cannot be called at the instance of the court to stand as a defence witness.

“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” he said.

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

“I don’t mind taking an oral application for the witness that is on subpoena before the court. There are documents to which he is the maker that deserves clarification that will help the defense, like PwB 1,2,3″ he said

However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN objected, stating that the process is not only strange but an abuse of court process.

Court

“ My lord, I am a prosecutor and not a persecutor that represents everyone. On November 12, 2024, I led evidence with this witness, as Pw2, he brought documents, was cross examined and the court discharged him. The learned counsel sought a judicial decision to call this witness, this process is not only strange but an abuse of court process.

The defence has not told us what aspect of the exhibit needs cross examination. When we were conducting our case, we gave them documents in advance, so which documents are they referring to so that we are not taken by surprise”, he said

Justice Omotosho discharged the witness from the witness box, further stating that if the defence wanted to use him as their witness, they should request properly in writing by way of an application of notice, not using him at the instance of the court by way of subpoena.

Responding, defense counsel told the court that they have closed their case.

The matter was adjourned to April 13, 2026 for the adoption of final written addresses.

Alleged N1.5b Ecological Fund Fraud: Former Niger Governor To Know Fate On No -Case Submission May 8

Alleged N1.5b Ecological Fund Fraud: Former Niger Governor to know fate on No -case submission May 8. Justice Yeliam Bogoro of the Federal High Court Lagos, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, set May 8, 2026 for ruling on the no- case submission, filed by a former governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu and his co-defendant, Umar Muhammed Nasko.

Thursday’s proceeding was for adoption of final addresses by the prosecution counsel, Faruk Abdallah, counsel for the first defendant, Y. Kalamu and Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, for the second defendant.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Aliyu alongside Nasko, a former Commissioner for Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources, on an eight-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, money laundering and conversion of ecological funds to the tune of N1,509,791,200.00 (One Billion, Five Hundred and Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Two hundred Naira).

In their reply on the no- case submission of the defendants, the prosecution counsel informed the court that he filed his response on February 5, 2026, adding that the defendants were arraigned before the court on April 28, 2017, on eight-count charges, bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

The prosecution counsel also informed the court that the prosecution in proof of its case, called 11 witnesses and tendered several exhibits. “At the close of the prosecution’s case, the first defendant opted to make a no -case submission.

Court

The first defendant filed a written no- case submission on 18th December 2025. In response thereof, the prosecution has filed this address and adopts the same as its response,” he said.

On the no -case submission of the second defendant, the prosecution counsel observed that “At the close of the prosecution’s case, the second defendant opted to make a no-case submission. The second defendant filed a written no- case submission on November 23, 2025.”

Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter till May 8, 2026 for ruling on the no-case submission.

EFCC Arraigns Three NRC Staff Over Alleged ₦2.04bn Money Laundering

EFCC arraigns three NRC staff over alleged ₦2.04bn money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, arraigned three senior officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, before Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja over alleged fraud and money laundering offences.

The defendants are: Felix Njoku, a former Director of Finance of the Nigerian Railway Corporation; Benjamin Chinwuba Iloanusi, presently a Director in the Procurement Department of the NRC, and Oche Jerry Ogbole-Inalegwu, presently Director, Mechanical.

They were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering, and unlawful enrichment by public officials to the tune of over ₦2.04 billion.

Njoku was arraigned before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on a 17-count charge involving an alleged fraud of ₦736,320,807.08.

One of the counts against Njoku reads: “That you, Felix Njoku transacting under the name of FC Njoku and Company, after leaving office as the Director Finance, Nigerian Railway Corporation, between 2nd January, 2024 and 3rd December, 2024 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, committed an offence, to wit; unlawful enrichment by receiving the cumulative sum of Two Hundred and Forty Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N240,940,000.00) from contractors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation through the bank account of FC Njoku and Company domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc with account number: 1014247906, on account of the contracts awarded to the contractors during the discharge of your official duties”.

It was alleged that Njoku, after leaving office as Director of Finance of the NRC, between January 2 and December 3, 2024, received ₦240,940,000.00 from NRC contractors through the bank account of FC Njoku and Company domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc, linked to contracts awarded during his tenure.

Iloanusi was arraigned before Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court on a 10-count charge involving an alleged ₦915,265,472.60 fraud.

One of the counts against Iloamusi reads: “That you Benjamin Chinwuba Iloanusi while serving as the Director Procurement Department, Nigerian Railway Corporation, between 4th January, 2022 and 30th December, 2022 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, committed an offence, to wit; corruption by receiving the cumulative sum of One Hundred and Sixty Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Eight Naira, Four Kobo (N160,930,458.04) from contractors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation through your bank account domiciled in Polaris Bank Plc with account numbers: 1060170530 and 1767841197 respectively, on account of the contracts awarded to the contractors during the discharge of your official duties”.

According to the charge , Iloanusi allegedly received ₦160,930,458.04 from NRC contractors through accounts domiciled in Polaris Bank Plc, while serving as Director of Procurement between January 4 and December 30, 2022.

The payments were allegedly connected to contracts awarded in the course of his official duties.

Ogbole was arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on a nine-count charge involving an alleged ₦395,190,600.00 fraud.

One of the counts against Ogbole-Inalegwu reads: “That you Oche Jerry Ogbole-Inalegwu while serving as the Railway District
Manager, Nigerian Railway Corporation and transacting under the name of
Altech Engineering Services, between 12th February, 2019 and 29th October, 2019 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, committed an offence, to wit; corruption by receiving the cumulative
sum of Eleven Million, Three Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N11,397,500.00) from China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), a contractor of the Nigerian Railway Corporation through the bank account of Altech Engineering Services domiciled in Access Bank Plc with account number: 0018021498, on account of the contracts awarded to CCECC during the discharge of your official duties”.

It was alleged that while Ogbole-Inalegwu was serving as Railway District Manager and operating under Altech Engineering Services, allegedly received ₦11,397,500.00 from China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), an NRC contractor, through an Access Bank Plc account in relation to contracts awarded during his official duties.

The offences are said to contravene Sections 332(1) and 332(3), Section 73(1), and Section 82(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

All defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

Following their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammad, SAN, requested trial dates and urged the courts to remand the defendants in correctional facilities pending trial, noting that the prosecution intended to respond to certain paragraphs in the bail applications on points of law.

EFCC

The defence counsel, Mordecai Adejo, informed the courts that bail applications had been filed and served, and urged that the defendants be allowed to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.

Justice Abike-Fadipe granted Felix Njoku temporary release on health grounds, ordering him to deposit his international passport with the court, and report to the EFCC Lagos Directorate 1 office every Monday and Friday.

The matter was adjourned to March 10, 2026 for hearing of the bail application and May 11, 12, 18, and 19, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Justice Ismail Ijelu remanded Iloanusi in a Correctional centre and adjourned the case till March 3, 2026, for the hearing of his bail application and commencement of trial.

Justice Dada allowed Ogbole-Inalegwu to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC and adjourned the case till April 23, 2026 for hearing.