Saleh Mamman, who was fired by former President Muhammadu Buhari as Minister of Power, had his arraignment scheduled for this Thursday in a Federal High Court in Abuja, but it was postponed due to his health.
Buhari dismissed Mamman and Sabo Nanono, the then-minister of agriculture, in September 2021.
Aside from a few he dismissed during his first term, they were essentially the only ministers Buhari fired during his eight years in office.
Mamman allegedly passed out outside the courtroom on Thursday morning before the case was called.
When Mamman’s plea was called, Femi Ate (SAN), the former minister’s attorney, informed Justice James Omotosho, the presiding court, immediately after.
The former minister entered the courtroom and climbed onto the dock soaked upon the hearing’s resume.
Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), the attorney for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed the court that although Mamman’s arraignment was scheduled, there had been a development outside of the courtroom.
Olumide-Fusika claimed to have discussed Mamman’s poor health with Ate outside of the courtroom.
“I was made aware of an outside occurrence. “I want the honourable court to hear directly from my learner senior advocate,” he declared.
Mamman “had to be resuscitated and treated by the Federal High Court’s medical personnel upon being brought into the court’s premises,” stated Ate in her speech.
He claimed that after being revived, his client received service of the charge.
He said, “This morning, he was served.”
The attorney stated that he asked Olumide-Fusika’s permission for a postponement so that the arraignment could take place on Monday, when his client would have been in good health.
The arraignment, the judge stated, could only take place towards the end of September because of the volume of cases on the court docket.
Ate subsequently withdrew her request for an adjournment orally.
But when the court asked Mamman if he was well enough to enter his plea today, he answered in the positive.
But Mamman declared he was well enough to proceed with the arraignment.
“Anyone can experience it,” the judge declared.
Source: daily trust