On Thursday, July 11, Mr. Saleh Mamman, the former Minister of Power under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was to be arraigned in court. However, the proceedings were postponed after he collapsed outside the Federal High Court in Abuja.
It was reported that Mamman fainted before his case was called. His lawyer, Femi Ate, SAN, informed Justice James Omotosho of the situation as soon as Mamman was due to present his plea. When the hearing resumed, Mamman entered the courtroom and stepped into the dock, appearing disheveled. Justice Omotosho noticed this and asked why Mamman was sweating, questioning whether it was raining outside. Mamman responded from the dock, claiming that water had been poured on him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, addressed the court, explaining that despite the arraignment being scheduled, there was an incident outside the courtroom concerning Mamman's health. He then deferred to Mamman's attorney, Ate, to elaborate on the situation.
Ate informed the court that Mamman collapsed upon arriving at the court premises and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court. After being revived, Mamman was served with the charge against him.
Mamman, who served as Buhari's Minister of Power from 2019 to 2021, was accused of conspiring with ministry staff to embezzle approximately N22 billion in relation to the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects. The investigation also uncovered properties in Nigeria and overseas allegedly linked to Mamman, and millions of naira and dollars were reportedly recovered.
Due to the circumstances, Justice Omotosho postponed the arraignment until 1pm that day
