Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered that a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, be remanded in Kuje prison in Abuja pending the consideration of his bail application.
Justice Omotosho issued the order after Mamman was arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering offences brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In the amended charge, the ex-minister is alleged to have laundered over N33 billion and acquired properties through proxies.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to him.
The prosecuting lawyer, Olumide Fusika, sought a date for the commencement of the trial.
Lawyer to the defendant, Femi Ate, said he filed a bail application shortly before the court resumed sitting.
Although Fusika admitted being served with the bail application around 12:30 pm, Justice Omotosho noted that the application was not yet in the court’s file.
In reaction, Ate prayed to be allowed to return the next day to argue the bail application, which request Fusika did not oppose.
The judge then adjourned till Friday for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje correctional centre.
Mamman was subsequently led out of the courtroom by prison officials.