Former Power Minister Saleh Mamman Collapses in Court as Money Laundering Trial Begins
Saleh Mamman, the former Minister of Power, collapsed outside a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday due to health issues as his money laundering trial commenced.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Mamman was scheduled to enter his plea that morning but collapsed outside the courtroom before the case began.
Mamman’s counsel, Femi Ate, SAN, informed Justice James Omotosho of the incident when called to take Mamman’s plea.
When the hearing resumed, Mamman entered the courtroom with part of his clothing visibly soaked. Justice Omotosho inquired about his condition, to which Mamman explained that water had been poured on him after he collapsed.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, addressed the court, acknowledging Mamman’s health issue and recounting a discussion he had with Ate about it.
Ate detailed that Mamman collapsed upon arrival at the court premises and received immediate medical attention from the Federal High Court’s medical personnel. He added that Mamman was served with the charges after being resuscitated.
Ate requested an adjournment for Mamman’s arraignment until Monday, allowing his client time to recover. However, Justice Omotosho, citing the court’s heavy docket, could only reschedule the arraignment for late September. Ate subsequently withdrew his request for an adjournment.
Olumide-Fusika mentioned that a mistake in the defendant’s name led him to file an amended charge earlier that morning and suggested reading the new charge to Mamman. Justice Omotosho disagreed and instead asked Mamman if he was capable of proceeding with the plea. Mamman affirmed that he was, explaining that his collapse was due to medication taken on an empty stomach, which caused his blood pressure to drop while waiting outside the courtroom.
Mamman also pointed out an error in the name on the charge sheet served by the EFCC. Justice Omotosho postponed the arraignment until 1 PM that day.
NAN reported that the EFCC had filed a 12-count charge against Mamman, alleging money laundering offenses amounting to N33 billion. Mamman, who served as Minister under former President Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was previously detained by the EFCC on May 10, 2021.
He was removed from his position on September 1, 2021, along with the then-Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, as part of a cabinet reshuffle. Mamman is accused of collaborating with ministry staff to divert around N22 billion from the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects. The investigation has reportedly linked properties in Nigeria and abroad to the suspects and has recovered millions of naira and dollars.
