On Thursday, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in connection with a N33.8 billion money laundering case. The court directed that Mamman be held at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 12 counts of money laundering.
Mamman, who served as Minister of Power from August 2019 until his dismissal in September 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari, denied all charges against him.
Prior to these charges being filed, the EFCC detained Mamman in May 2023, roughly 20 months after his dismissal and shortly before the end of Buhari’s tenure.
During Thursday’s court session, Judge James Omotosho ordered Mamman’s remand after he pleaded not guilty to all charges. Defence lawyer Femi Ate, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stated that he had filed a bail application for Mamman. EFCC prosecutor Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, also a SAN, acknowledged receiving the application but noted it had not yet reached the court’s file. The judge agreed to hear the bail application on Friday but ordered Mamman’s remand in the meantime.
The arraignment was initially delayed after Mamman collapsed in the court premises, allegedly due to medication taken on an empty stomach which caused a drop in his blood pressure. After being resuscitated by court medical personnel, he confirmed he was fit to proceed, and the session resumed later in the day.
Mamman’s charges relate to alleged misappropriation of funds earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power Projects. His arrest in May 2023 was reportedly linked to these allegations. Mamman and former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Sabo Nanono, were both dismissed on September 1, 2021, as part of what the presidency described as an effort to reinvigorate the cabinet. Such dismissals were rare during President Buhari’s administration and usually indicated significant infractions. Speculation suggested Mamman’s dismissal involved more than just a routine cabinet reshuffle.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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