A Nigerian High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Minister for Power, Saleh Mamman, be remanded in Kuje Prison in Abuja, pending the consideration of his bail application.
The court presided over by Justice James Omotosho, issued the order on Thursday, July 11, after Mamman was arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering.
The ex-Power Minister pleaded not guilty to the charge 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 to being served with the bail application at about 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.
A report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicated that the former minister collapsed outside the courtroom before the case was called.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com