The arraignment of Mr Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power under the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, has been delayed after he collapsed outside the courtroom of the Federal High Court, in Abuja.
Mamman, whose plea was fixed for Thursday morning, had fainted before his case was called forward.
According to NAN, the former minister’s counsel, Femi Ate, SAN, had swiftly informed Justice James Omotosho shortly when the matter was called for Mamman to take his plea.
Upon the hearing’s resumption, the ex-minister walked into the courtroom and stepped into the dock with part of his clothes soaked.
Seeing this, Justice Omotosho queried why Mamman had appeared in court like that but the former minister answered by saying that water was poured on him.
Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, (SAN) the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, while addressing the court, had said that although the matter was already fixed for Mamman’s arraignment, a development had occurred outside the courtroom. This development in question was Mamman’s ill-health.
What They’re Saying
Olumide-Fusika had said;
“I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learned senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself.”In response, Ate had recounted how Mamman, “upon being brought into the premises of the court, collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court.”
He said his client was served with the charge after he was resuscitated.
Meanwhile, the former minister had explained to the court on why he collapsed outside the courtroom because of the drugs he took when he had not eaten, hence his blood pressure dropped.
Mamman, however, said he was fit to continue with the arraignment.
Thereafter, Justice Omotosho stepped down the arraignment until 1pm on Thursday.
