Mamman Fails To File Final Written Address In Alleged N33.8b Fraud

Proceedings were stalled in the trial of the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman on Thursday, April 16, 2026 as he could not file his final written address before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

Mamman is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 12-count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-three Kobo).

EFCC

At Thursday’s proceeding which was for adoption of final written addresses, Mamman through his counsel Femi Atteh, SAN, acknowledged the receipt of the final written address of the prosecution but drew the court’s attention to his motion filed on April 1, 2026 seeking for extension of time to enable him file his own final written address. With no objection from the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the court obliged him.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till April 23, 2026 for adoption of final written addresses.

“Nigeria Ready For Business”, Dabiri-Erewa Assures In Silicon Valley, US

Abuja, April 12, 2026: Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has assured Nigerians and investors in the Diaspora that Nigeria is conducive and ready to welcome all investors to the country as the country has all it takes for investment opportunities.

She gave this assurance while delivering a keynote address as Guest Speaker at the prestigious Pre-Africa Diaspora Investment Summit (ADIS26) Partnerships Dinner in Silicon Valley, California, United States of America.

The exclusive dinner served as a prelude to the main African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2026 (ADIS26), which took place at Santa Clara University under the theme “Bridging Africa & Silicon Valley: Shaping the Future of Innovation, Investment, and Inclusive Growth.”

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted Nigeria’s strategic focus on harnessing the expertise, capital, and networks of its vibrant diaspora to drive national growth, economic diversification, and technological advancement, and highlighted policies put in place by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She emphasised the administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen diaspora engagement and create enabling frameworks for productive investments back home.

The NIDCOM boss commended the enthusiasm and collaborative spirit demonstrated by Nigerians in the US, reaffirming the immense potential of the diaspora as a catalyst for growth and development.

She, appreciated Almaz Negash, Founder and CEO of the African Diaspora Network (ADN), and the entire organising team for their exceptional leadership in convening the impactful event.

“Their dedication continues to foster meaningful connections that translate into tangible opportunities for Africa and its diaspora.

Dabiri-Erewa

The same message was reiterated during a working lunch with Nigerian professionals who expressed their enthusiasm to work with NIDCOM to contribute their quota to National development.

The two events brought together prominent Nigerians, African, and American leaders, innovators, investors, and policymakers, and created a vibrant platform for meaningful dialogue on diaspora-driven investments, innovation, and sustainable partnerships between Africa and the global tech ecosystem, reflecting a shared commitment to moving beyond remittances toward impactful, long-term investments in Africa’s development.

E-signed
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM, Abuja.

FG Affirms Strengthened Migration Framework To Support National Security, Investment Facilitation

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s migration management framework through targeted reforms aimed at enhancing national security, improving service delivery, and facilitating investment.

The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known while receiving the Honourable Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu OFR, and his delegation on Thursday, on a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

The Minister emphasized that effective collaboration among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) is critical to achieving government policy objectives, particularly in areas requiring coordinated implementation. He noted that the Commission plays a strategic role in promoting institutional alignment and supporting revenue optimization across government.

Highlighting ongoing reforms, the Minister stated: “The Ministry is committed to repositioning Nigeria’s migration system to be more efficient, transparent, and supportive of economic activities, while maintaining the highest standards of national security.”

He disclosed that the Ministry has introduced an electronic visa system to address challenges associated with visa processing and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness as an investment destination. The system enables end-to-end digital processing, including the issuance of secure, QR-coded visas, thereby reducing processing timelines and administrative bottlenecks.

The Minister further revealed the deployment of an integrated digital platform for administering the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) and expatriate quota system. According to him, the platform facilitates real-time data exchange with the Nigeria Immigration Service, eliminates unauthorized intermediaries, and enhances transparency and accountability in application processing. He added that the initiative is already delivering improvements in compliance and operational efficiency.

He added that issues of citizenship are strictly regulated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whereas investor-friendly residency options may be pursued within the framework of existing laws.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, highlighted the Commission’s constitutional mandate to ensure that all revenues due to the Federation are properly collected and distributed in line with existing laws. He also noted its responsibility for determining remuneration for political office holders and judicial officers, as well as periodically reviewing the revenue allocation formula for the three tiers of government.

FG Affirms Strengthened Migration Framework

The Chairman commended the Ministry of Interior for its contributions to improved revenue inflows and reaffirmed the Commission’s role in monitoring revenue-generating agencies, including NNPC, NUPRC, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the solid minerals sector, to ensure accurate accounting and remittance to the Federation Account.

Speaking further on the purpose of the visit, the Chairman of the Investment Monitoring Committee of the Commission and Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Hon. Enefe Ekene, stated that their visit aimed to seek a strategic alliance with the Ministry of Interior in the area of citizenship by investment and to safeguard the solid minerals sector. He added that the Committee’s mandate includes overseeing government investments and initiatives designed to attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria.

E-Signed
Mary Ali (Mrs)
Head, Press and Public Relations
16th April, 2026