Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, collapsed on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja during his arraignment for alleged N33bn fraud. Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, entered the dock with clothes drenched in sweat, leading his lawyer to explain to Justice James Omotosho that his client had collapsed on the court premises and was revived by medical personnel just before the hearing.
The defense lawyer, Femi Ate (SAN), informed the court that Mamman was served with the charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) only after he was resuscitated. Ate requested the judge to adjourn the arraignment until Monday due to the ex-minister’s condition.
Justice Omotosho denied the adjournment request, citing a full docket for Monday. Instead, he granted a one-hour recess for Mamman to recover, though Mamman stated he was fit to proceed. Subsequently, Mamman was arraigned on 12 counts of money laundering amounting to N22bn.
After Mamman pleaded not guilty to the charges, EFCC prosecutor Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN) requested a trial date. The defense counsel mentioned an application for bail, but the judge noted it was not before the court and adjourned the bail application hearing until today (Friday).
In the meantime, Justice Omotosho ordered that Mamman be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail hearing. Mamman, who served as Minister of Power from 2019 to 2021, is accused of conspiring with ministry staff responsible for the accounts of the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects to divert about N33bn.
