Nigeria, March 12 -- The FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, rejected an application to halt the N31 billion corruption trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, and his co-defendants.

The application was filed by the second defendant, Mustapha Bida.

In her ruling, the judge, Maryann Anenih, held that an application for "stay of proceedings in a criminal matter cannot be entertained".

She then struck out the application.

But she granted Mr Bida's request to travel for Hajj.

The judge overruled the prosecution's objection to grant the request.

She ordered Mr Bida to return from the planned Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia by 23 March and submit his passport unfailingly by 24 March.

The spokesperson for the Econo...