Former Minister of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of involvement in a staggering N33 billion fraud.
This decision came on Friday from Justice James Omotosho, who set Mamman’s bail at N10 billion, contingent upon meeting specific conditions.
Mamman, facing a 12-count charge preferred by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is required to provide two sureties, each with properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) valued at no less than N750 million.
Additionally, the sureties must present a three-year tax clearance certificate and an affidavit of means, alongside certified copies of their bank statements and recent passport photographs.
The court ordered Mamman to surrender his international passport to the registrar, who must verify all documentation before his release. Alternatively, the sureties could submit a bank guarantee or bond for the same amount.
Justice Omotosho stated that Mamman will remain in custody until all bail conditions are fulfilled. The case is set to resume on September 25 for further hearing.
Mamman, represented by a team of lawyers led by Mr. Femi Ate, SAN, pleaded not guilty to the charges. In his bail application dated July 11, he invoked provisions from the 1999 Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stating he had been on administrative bail for over two years without any violations.
“I assure the court that I will always be available for my trial,” Mamman told the court, emphasizing his commitment not to interfere with witnesses.
The EFCC, represented by Mr. A. O. Mohammed, did not oppose Mamman’s bail request but urged the court to impose conditions to ensure his attendance at trial.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was arrested in 2021, approximately four months after his removal from office.
The EFCC alleges that he conspired with ministry staff to misappropriate N22 billion intended for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects, utilizing the funds for personal assets both locally and abroad.
Notably, Mamman had collapsed outside the courtroom on Thursday, raising concerns about his health during the ongoing proceedings.
