Alleged N33.8bn fraud: Court remands ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in Kuje prison

Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, be remanded in Kuje prison in Abuja pending the consideration of his bail application.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order today Thursday, July 11, after Mamman was arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering offences.

The former Minister pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following which the prosecuting lawyer, Olumide Fusika (SAN) sought a date for the commencement of trial.

Lawyer to the defendant, Femi Ate (SAN) said he filed a bail application shortly before the court resumed sitting. Although Fusika admitted being served with the bail application around 12:30 pm, Justice Omotosho noted that the application was not yet in the court’s file.

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.