Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, collapsed on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja during his arraignment for an alleged N33 billion fraud. Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, entered the courtroom with soaked clothing, prompting his lawyer to explain to Justice James Omotosho that his client had collapsed on the court premises and was revived by medical staff just before the hearing began.
Defense lawyer Femi Ate (SAN) informed the judge that Mamman had only received the charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after his resuscitation. Ate requested an adjournment until Monday, citing his client’s condition.
Justice Omotosho, however, denied the adjournment request, citing a fully booked schedule for Monday. Instead, he granted a one-hour recess for Mamman to recover, although the former minister insisted he was well enough to proceed. Mamman was subsequently arraigned on 12 counts, including accusations of laundering N22 billion.