Former Nigerian Minister of Power Granted N10 Billion Bail
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a N10 billion bail to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, with two sureties. The bail conditions were announced by Justice James Omotosho, who also ordered that the sureties’ property must be worth N750 million and have title registers.
According to the court, the sureties must present an affidavit of means and three years’ tax evidence, which will be verified by the court registrar. Each surety must also produce a passport photograph, while Mamman must submit his international passport to the court registry.
The judge also ordered that Mamman remain in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail, with the matter adjourned until September 25 for trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 12-count money laundering charge against Mamman, alleging that he committed the offences to the tune of N33 billion. Mamman pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody pending the hearing of his bail application.
The EFCC’s lawyer, A.O. Mohammed, did not oppose Mamman’s bail plea, and the judge granted the bail, citing the constitutional right of the defendant to be granted bail.
Mamman served as Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021. He was arrested and detained at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja on May 10, 2021, and was later sacked by Buhari along with the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, in a cabinet restructuring.
The investigations into Mamman’s alleged money laundering activities uncovered property in Nigeria and overseas allegedly linked to the suspects, as well as millions of naira and dollars reportedly recovered.
With this bail, Mamman is expected to remain in custody pending the perfection of his bail, with the next hearing scheduled for September 25.
