Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in Kuje prison pending his bail application. The order was issued on Thursday following Mamman’s arraignment on a 12-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mamman, accused of laundering N33 billion, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The EFCC counsel, Olumide Fusika (SAN), requested a trial date, while Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Ate (SAN), sought immediate consideration of a bail application filed earlier that day.
However, the defendant’s lawyer urged the court to entertain his application.
The defense counsel prayed the court to allow him return the next day to argue the bail application.
The prosecution counsel admitted that he was served with the bail application around 12:30pm, adding that he has no objection to the court decision of the day for bail application.
After listening to their submissions, the judge adjourned the matter till Friday July 12 for the hearing of the bail application.
Omotosho also ordered that the former minister be remanded in Kuje correctional center.
The former minister was minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021.
On May 10, 2021, he was arrested and detained at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja.
Buhari had September 1, 2021, sacked Mamman and the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, in what was called a cabinet restructuring.
Mamman was accused of colluding with staff of the ministry in charge of the accounts of the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects to steal about N22 billion.
While millions of Naira and dollars had reportedly been recovered, the investigations uncovered properties in Nigeria and overseas allegedly linked to the accused.