The arraignment of Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was postponed on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to his ill-health.
Mamman, whose plea was scheduled for Thursday morning, collapsed outside the courtroom before the case was called.
His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Ate, informed Justice James Omotosho of Mamman’s condition shortly after the case was called for his plea.
When the hearing resumed, Mamman entered the courtroom and took his place in the dock, with part of his clothes visibly drenched.
Justice Omotosho inquired if Mamman was sweating or if it had been raining outside.
Mamman, speaking from the dock, explained that water had been poured on him.
Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, a lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, addressed the court, stating that although the arraignment was scheduled, there had been a development outside the courtroom.
He mentioned discussing Mamman’s ill-health with Ate outside the courtroom.
“I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learner senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself,” he said.
Speaking, Ate said Mamman, “Upon being brought into the premises of the court collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the federal high court.”
He said his client was served with the charge after he was resuscitated.
“He was served this morning,” he added.
The senior lawyer requested Olumide-Fusika’s understanding for a postponement so that Mamman could be arraigned on Monday when he expected to be well enough. However, due to the heavy workload in the court, the judge scheduled the arraignment for the end of September.
Ate then withdrew his oral request for a postponement.
Olumide-Fusika mentioned that he had filed an amended charge earlier that morning due to an error in the defendant’s name. He asked the court to read the new charge to Mamman for his plea, but Justice Omotosho disagreed.
The judge then asked Mamman if he felt well enough to enter his plea that day, and Mamman affirmed that he did.
The former minister explained to the court that he collapsed outside due to medication on an empty stomach. While waiting to be called, his blood pressure dropped.
However, Mamman insisted he was fit to proceed with the arraignment.
“it can happen to anyone,” the judge said.
The ex-minister told the court that he called the attention of his lawyer to the error made by the EFCC on the name in the charge served on him.
“I was complaining about the name, that it was not my own,” he said.
Justice Omotosho then postponed the arraignment until 1 pm today.
The EFCC had brought forward a 12-count money laundering charge against Mamman.
He was accused of committing the money laundering offenses involving ₦33 billion.
The former minister served under former President Buhari from 2019 to 2021.
On May 10, 2021, he was arrested and held at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja.
Buhari dismissed Mamman and the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, on September 1, 2021, as part of a cabinet restructuring.
Mamman was alleged to have conspired with ministry staff overseeing the accounts of the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric power projects to divert approximately ₦22 billion.