Former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman Collapses in Court Amid Money Laundering Charges.
Abuja – Saleh Mamman, a former Minister of Power, collapsed outside the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, shortly before facing a 12-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges allege money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.
Prior to the court proceedings, Mamman’s counsel, Femi Ate, informed Judge James Omotosho that his client had fainted due to ill health. When the hearing resumed, Mamman, visibly wet, entered the courtroom and stepped into the dock. The judge inquired about Mamman’s condition, to which Mamman replied that water had been poured on him to revive him.
Read Also : James Ibori Condemns Supreme Court Ruling on Local Government Autonomy
EFCC counsel Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika confirmed the incident outside the courtroom, explaining that he had discussed Mamman’s health with Ate.
He said Mamman collapsed immediately upon arrival at the court premises and was revived by medical personnel of the federal high court. He was later served with the charge after regaining consciousness.
Ate pleaded that the matter be adjoined until Monday on the grounds of Mamman’s health; the judge fixed the arraignment at the end of September due to his backlogged cases. Ate withdrew his application for an adjournment.
Olumide-Fusika then spoke about an amended charge that was filed that morning, owing to a mistake in the defendant’s name, and then asked for the fresh charge to be read to Mamman. Judge Omotosho then asked Mamman if he was fit to proceed with his plea, and Mamman replied in the affirmative.
He explained that his collapse was due to taking medication on an empty stomach, which caused a drop in his blood pressure.
Pay Attention To: Full Details of NLC, TUC Meeting with Tinubu on New Minimum Wage Emerge
During the court session, Mamman pointed out an error in the charge served by the EFCC, stating it did not correctly reflect his name. In response, Judge Omotosho postponed the arraignment until 1 PM that day.
Saleh Mamman was appointed Minister of Power by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019 and was dismissed in September 2021. In May 2023, Mamman was arrested by the EFCC over an alleged N22 billion fraud.
Tinubu Is Not Too Big to Be Voted Out of Office in 2027 – El-Rufai’s Son
The anti-graft agency claims Mamman conspired with officials from the power ministry and private companies to “indirectly convert” N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
