N33bn fraud: Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, slumps in court before trial

Just before his planned arraignment, Mr. Saleh Mamman, the former Minister of Power, fell at a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday. He is charged with twelve counts of money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, brought Mamman, a former member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, before the court on charges of his alleged involvement in a N33 billion fraud.

Four months after ex-President Buhari withdrew him from government, he was arrested in 2021.
Among other things, the EFCC claimed that he plotted with ministry employees to steal N22 billion intended for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

The anti-graft agency said its investigations revealed that the suspects used the funds to acquire choice assets, both within and outside the country.

The ex-minister was billed to enter his plea to the allegations before trial Justice James Omotosho.

However, before the matter could be called, the defendant collapsed outside the courtroom.

It took the help of both lawyers and a team of medical personnel from the court to revive him.

Eventually, the defendant, who looked frail and ill, walked into the courtroom and entered inside the dock with part of his clothes drenched.

The trial judge, who was not aware of what transpired outside the courtroom, queried the defendant to ascertain if he was exposed to rain.

Responding from the dock, Mamman explained that water was poured on him after he collapsed.
His lawyer, Mr. Femi Ate, SAN, confirmed the development after the prosecution counsel, Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, told the court that his attention was also drawn to the situation.

On his part, the prosecution counsel told the court that what was served on the defendant was an amended charge. He said the amendment was effected to correct an error in the name of the defendant.

After he had listened to both sides, Justice Omotosho said he could only adjourn the matter till September in view of the heavy workload the court is faced with.

Following the position of the court, Ake withdrew his oral application for an adjournment.
The defendant also confirmed to the court that he was fit and ready to take his plea, explaining that he collapsed as a result of a medication he took without food.