Crime
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
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.
ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai On A Nine-Count Charge, Separates Trial From Co-Defendant
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before Honourable Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court 5 on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.
The arraignment, which took place on Monday, followed the amendment of the original charge by the Commission’s prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, who separated the joint charge earlier filed against Mallam El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Amadu Sule.
The amendment became necessary due to the continued absence of the second defendant, Amadu Sule, who was reported to be unavailable in court on account of a medical condition.
Following the development, the court granted the application for amendment, allowing the prosecution to proceed with the arraignment of Mallam El-Rufai independent of the second defendant.
Mallam El-Rufai was subsequently arraigned on nine amended charges which allege various infractions under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017, and Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2017.
Upon the reading of the charges, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State pleaded not guilty to all nine charges.
Counsel to the prosecution thereafter urged the court to fix a date for trial and to make appropriate orders to ensure the defendant’s attendance throughout the proceedings.
The defence counsel, in response, informed the court of a pending application and prayed for bail on liberal terms.
El-Rufai
After listening to both parties, the court adjourned for ruling on the bail application to Tuesday, 14th of April, 2026, and further ruled that Mallam El-Rufai should remain in the custody of the ICPC.
J. Okor Odey
Head, Media & Public Communications, ICPC.
EFCC Arraigns One Abdullahi Aminu for N4.3m Fraud In Maiduguri
The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 9, 2026 arraigned one Abdullahi Aminu before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri.
The defendant was arraigned on a one- count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation to the tune of N4, 305,000.00 (Four Million, Three Hundred and Five Thousand Naira).
The charge reads: “That you, Abdullahi Aminu sometimes in 2025 at Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly convert to your own use the aggregate sum of N4,305,000.00 (Four Million, Three Hundred and Five Thousand Naira), monies belonging to Jibrin Abdulrahman purportedly as payment for the supply of rice, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 296 and punishable under Section 297 of the Borno State Penal Code Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith Law, 2023.”
EFCC
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against him by the EFCC. Following his plea, prosecution counsel A.D Abdulmalik prayed for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional facility.
Thereafter, Justice Kumaliya adjourned till April 21, 2026 for commencement of trial and remanded the defendant in Maiduguri Maximum Correctional facility.
He was arrested when he allegedly dishonestly converted to his own use the sum of N4, 305,000.00 (Four Million, Three Hundred and Five Thousand Naira) that was meant for the supply of rice.
EFCC Busts Yahoo Academy In FCT, Arrests 31 Suspects
Yahoo academy. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 9, 2026 arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation at an internet fraud academy, situated in Becki Estate, Karu, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suspects, comprising two kingpins and interns, were nabbed while undergoing internet fraud tutorials. Items recovered from them include phones, 18 laptop computers and other gadgets.
Investigation by the EFCC revealed that some of the interns were lured all the way from Benue State by the academy proprietors with the promise of job offers, but upon settling down at the facility, were handed communication devices, computers and software, setting the stage for their training in cyber fraud.
To enforce compliance and dedication, the proprietors house the recruits in the academy and restrict their movements strictly within the perimeters of the facility and forcibly took possession of their mobile phones, thus totally cutting them off from the outside world.
EFCC Busts Yahoo Academy In FCT
Furthermore, corporal punishment was the order of the day, with heavy-handed physical assault meted out to interns who were seen to be recalcitrant.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
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