July 11, (THEWILL) – Justice James Omotosho, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, issued the order for the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to be remanded in Kuje prison, after he pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33.3 billion, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Meanwhile, Justice Omotosho has adjourned till Friday, July 12, for the hearing of the bail application filed by Mamman through his lawyer, Femi Ate (SAN).
The judge ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.
Mamman, who served in the administration of former President, Muhammadu Buhari, is facing trial over his alleged complicity in a N33 billion fraud.
The EFCC, among others, alleged that he conspired with staff members of the ministry to divert about N22 billion which was meant 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 defendant had earlier, before he was arraigned on Thursday, slumped within the court premises. It took the help of lawyers and a team of medical personnel from the court, to revive him.
Narrating what happened, Mamman’s lawyer, Ate SAN, said: “My lord, upon being brought into the premises of the court, the defendant collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court.”
He said his client was, however, served with a copy of the charge against him after he was resuscitated, adding that he had already discussed with EFCC’s lawyer for the arraignment to be deferred.
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 affected to correct an error in the name of the defendant.
