By Nkechi Eze
Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 frowned at the antics of the defence counsel to waste time in the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman.
Mamman and seven others, namely, Mustapha Abubakar Bida, Joseph Omotayo Adewunmi, Ben Nsikak, Stephen Ojo, Oladipo Adebowale, Michael Achua and Ogunjobi Olusila are standing trial on a nine-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, false pretence and intent to defraud to the tune of N31,070,541,349.64 (Thirty-one Billion, Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Forty-one Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-nine Naira, Sixty-four Kobo).
Reacting to the counsel to the second defendant, Temitayo Sonuyi, SAN’s objection to the commencement of trial, owing to his application before the court on the issue of jurisdiction which he wanted to be determined before going ahead with the trial, Justice Anenih stated that the prayers in the affidavit, brought by the counsel were not ripe for hearing as she will need time to read it before delivering her ruling.
“I have listened to both parties, however, reading the prayers, I cannot take the prayers in the application when I have not seen or read it. It is not ripe for hearing at this point and the final process is not in the case file before me. If you want the application to be processed today, the proper thing has to be done earlier because I have to go through the application. I cannot come here and sit down and waste time for nothing to be done today. Counsel please let’s proceed with the trial. When we come during the next adjourned date I can deliver my ruling,” she said.
Earlier in the proceedings, Sonuyi drew the attention of the court to two applications filed on December 5, and 10, 2025, challenging the appropriateness of the charge, and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.
Responding, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN informed the court that the second defendant was served with a counter-affidavit on January 6, 2026, noting that moments ago, his attention was again drawn to the second defendant`s counsel’s response to his January 6, 2026, counter-affidavit. Oyedepo urged the court to commence trial as he was ready to go ahead with the business of the day and with his witnesses in court, adding that in order not to waste the time of the court, the court can hear the application at a later date.
Upon hearing the position of the court, Sonuyi sought the leave of the court to withdraw his affidavit in response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit, stating that he will do the needful by putting his house in order.
Counsel to the 6th defendant, J. A. Egwaede, informed the court that the counter-affidavit of the prosecution was only served to him in the court and urged the court to grant an adjournment to enable him go through and file his reply.
In her ruling on the matter, Justice Anenih held that since the 6th defendant was only served with the copy of the prosecution’s counter-affidavit, she will grant an adjournment in the interest of justice, as the court is also bound to hear the application for jurisdiction to determine the proceedings of the case.
The matter was adjourned till February18, March 11, 25, 2026 for ruling and continuation of trial.
