Crime
Court Remands Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman, Over Alleged N33bn Fraud
The court consequently ordered that the video clip of the interrogation be played to assess the credibility of Mamman’s claim.
Abuja, Nigeria– A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in prison custody pending the continuation of his trial over alleged N33 billion fraud.
The case, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was adjourned until May 2, 2025, following the playing of a video evidence in open court.
Justice James Omotosho made the ruling on Monday during a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statement obtained from Mamman during investigation.
Mamman, through his counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, had objected to the admissibility of the statement presented by the EFCC, claiming it was not given voluntarily due to his poor health condition.
“My client was not in the right state of health to give a statement. He did not do so voluntarily,” Atteh told the court.
However, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, countered the submission and maintained that due process was followed during the interrogation.
The court consequently ordered that the video clip of the interrogation be played to assess the credibility of Mamman’s claim.
In the video footage shown on Monday, Mamman was seen expressing concerns about his health and indicating his inability to write a statement.
Meanwhile, under cross-examination, EFCC’s investigator and witness, Abubakar Kwaido, confirmed that Mamman had been properly cautioned before any statement was taken.
“Yes, I read the cautionary statement to him before the session began, and the recording clearly shows this,” Kwaido said in response to questions by EFCC counsel Abbas Muhammed.
The defense maintained its position, but the EFCC further reinforced its claim by asking the witness whether Mamman had been harassed or threatened in any way during the session.
“No, I did not harass him or threaten him with detention,” Kwaido stated under oath.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to May 2, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
Mamman served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration before being sacked amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the power sector.
