A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman be remanded in Kuje prison in Abuja.
The order was issued on Thursday after the former minister pleaded not guilty to a 12-count money laundering charge, a serious accusation brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges relate to an alleged ₦33 billion fraud, a significant amount, linked to the misappropriation of funds designated for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
According to the prosecuting lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, the former minister is accused of diverting about ₦22 billion meant for these projects to acquire assets illegally within and outside Nigeria.
Mamman, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was arrested four months after his dismissal from the ministerial position in 2021, however, his arraignment in court was dramatic after he collapsed in the court premises before the session and was revived by medical personnel present.
Following the incident, the counsel to the former minister, Femi Ate requested that the proceedings is delayed until on Monday, when his client would be in a better state.
However, the judge informed them that the court was so busy with cases that the arraignment could only be rescheduled for the end of September.
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, July 12, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje correctional centre.
The defendant, who his lawyer said is ill, looked dejected while stepping off the dock, shortly after the judge’s pronouncement.
