The arraignment of Mr. Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was postponed on Thursday after he collapsed outside the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Scheduled to take his plea in the morning, Mamman collapsed before the case was called. His counsel, Femi Ate, SAN, informed Justice James Omotosho of the incident when the matter was called.
Upon resuming the hearing, Mamman entered the courtroom with part of his clothes drenched. Justice Omotosho inquired about his condition, to which Mamman replied that water had been poured on him.
The EFCC’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, acknowledged a development outside the courtroom and invited Ate to explain. Ate disclosed that Mamman collapsed upon arrival at the court and had to be resuscitated by the Federal High Court’s medical personnel.
Ate requested an adjournment until Monday for Mamman to recover fully, but Justice Omotosho, citing a heavy court schedule, could only offer a date at the end of September. Ate withdrew the adjournment request.
Olumide-Fusika mentioned an amended charge had been filed due to an error in the defendant’s name and asked for the fresh charge to be read. However, Justice Omotosho disagreed.
The judge asked Mamman if he felt fit to proceed with his plea, and Mamman confirmed he was, explaining that his collapse was due to taking medication on an empty stomach, which caused a drop in his blood pressure while waiting.
Justice Omotosho stepped down the arraignment until 1 PM to allow Mamman time to recover.
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