JUST IN: Court Appearance Takes Dramatic Turn as Former Power Minister Collapses

Saleh Mamman’s arraignment, former Minister of Power under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was postponed on Thursday when he collapsed outside the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Mamman, whose plea was scheduled for Thursday morning, collapsed before the case was called.

According to NAN, the former minister’s attorney, Femi Ate, SAN, informed Justice James Omotosho immediately after the case was summoned for Mamman to present his plea.

Upon resuming the hearing, Mamman entered the courtroom and stepped into the dock, part of his garments soaked. Justice Omotosho inquired why Mamman was sweating and whether it was raining outside. Mamman, from the dock, stated that water was poured on him.

Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated in court that while Mamman’s arraignment was scheduled, an outside development occurred. Olumide-Fusika mentioned that he spoke with Ate outside the courtroom regarding Mamman’s illness.

“I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learned senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself,” he said.

Ate explained that upon being brought into the premises of the court, Mamman collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court. He stated that his client was issued the charge after being resuscitated.

“He was served this morning,” he explained.

Ate requested an adjournment for the arraignment to take place on Monday when his client would be available. However, the judge stated that due to the backlog in court dockets, the arraignment could only be scheduled for the end of September. Ate then withdrew his oral application for an adjournment.

Olumide-Fusika mentioned that he had just filed an updated charge earlier in the morning due to a typo in the defendant’s name and requested that the new charge be read to Mamman to accept his plea, but Justice Omotosho disagreed.

The court asked Mamman if he was fit to accept his plea, and he responded affirmatively. Mamman explained that he fainted outside the courthouse due to medicines he took on an empty stomach, which caused his blood pressure to plummet.

However, Mamman stated that he was fit to continue with the arraignment.

“It can happen to anyone,” the judge said.

Mamman also told the court that he called the attention of his lawyer to the error made by the EFCC on the name in the charge served on him. “I was complaining about the name, that it was not my own,” he said.

Justice Omotosho then postponed the arraignment to 1 pm today.