The trial of Saleh Mamman, who served as the Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was postponed on Thursday after he fainted just outside the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mamman, who was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday morning for his trial, fainted before the proceedings began.
The lawyer for Mamman, Femi Ate, SAN, informed Justice James Omotosho right after the trial was announced that Mamman needed to take his plea.
When the trial resumed, the former minister entered the courtroom and took his place on the dock, with some of his clothing already soaked.
Justice Omotosho then inquired about Mamman’s condition, asking if he was overheating or if it was raining outside.
Mamman, from his position on the dock, replied that he had been drenched with water.
The lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, while speaking in court, mentioned that the trial for Mamman had been scheduled, but there was an unexpected incident outside the courtroom.
Olumide-Fusika explained that he had a conversation with Ate outside the courtroom regarding Mamman’s health issues.
“I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learned senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself,” he said.
Addressing journalists on Thursday morning, Ate said Mamman, “Upon being brought into the premises of the court, he collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court.”
Ate stressed that his client (Mamman), was served with the charge after he was resuscitated.
“He was served this morning,” he added.
The senior lawyer requested a delay in proceedings from Olumide-Fusika to ensure the arraignment could take place on Monday, when his client would be in a better state.
However, the judge informed them that the court was so busy with cases that the arraignment could only be rescheduled for the end of September.
Following this, Olumide-Fusika decided to cancel the request for a delay.
Olumide-Fusika mentioned that he had corrected a typo in the defendant’s name earlier that morning and asked the court to inform Mamman of the updated charge, hoping he would give his plea. However, Justice Omotosho opposed this request.
The judge then inquired if Mamman was capable of giving his plea today, to which he replied in the affirmative.
The former minister explained to the court that he fainted outside the courtroom due to not eating and the effects of the drugs he had taken. While waiting outside, his blood pressure dropped.
Mamman, on the other hand, stated that he was in good health and ready to proceed with the arraignment.
“It can happen to anyone,” the judge said.
The former minister stated to the judge that he notified his attorney about the mistake the EFCC made regarding the name included in the arrest warrant they presented to him.
“I was complaining about the name, that it was not my own,” he said.
However, Justice Omotosho then stepped down the arraignment until 1 pm today.
