Former Nigerian Minister Collapses in Court Due to Ill Health

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, experienced a health scare at the Federal High Court in Abuja as he collapsed while awaiting his plea. Mamman’s counsel, Femi Ate, alerted Justice James Omotosho to his client’s condition as the court session was about to commence. Once the hearing began, Mamman walked into the courtroom, partially soaked in sweat.

Justice Omotosho, noticing Mamman’s condition, inquired about the reason for his perspiration, to which Mamman attributed it to having water poured on him. The representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, mentioned an incident outside the court premises related to Mamman’s health.

Ate revealed that Mamman had collapsed upon entering the court premises, requiring medical assistance from the Federal High Court’s personnel. Despite his recent health episode, Mamman was served with the charge prior to the court session and expressed readiness to proceed with the arraignment.

Olumide-Fusika had filed an amended charge earlier in the day to correct a defendant’s name mistake. The judge, however, emphasized Mamman’s fitness to enter a plea for the charges brought against him. Mamman disclosed that his health episode was due to medication on an empty stomach causing a drop in blood pressure.

Furthermore, Mamman pointed out errors in his charges to his legal team and assured the court of his readiness to participate in the arraignment despite the health setback. The arraignment was briefly halted to assess Mamman’s condition, and a new plea schedule was set to resume the proceedings.

Mamman, who served as Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, faced allegations of money laundering amounting to 33 billion naira. Following his arrest in May 2021, Mamman was implicated in diverting funds linked to power projects under his jurisdiction, leading to his subsequent termination from the Cabinet alongside another minister.