Ailing ex-minister Mamman gets bail with tough conditions

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday admitted ailing former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to N10 billion bail with two sureties.

The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on Mamman’s bail application however held that the former minister was at liberty to alternatively enter into a bond or agreement of N10 billion with a bank.

But the judge said that Mamman must not be allowed to breathe his sir of freedom until verification of his sureties who must mandatory own landed property worth N750 million with title register within the jurisdiction of the court.

The judge also added that  the sureties must present an affidavit of means and three years tax evidence which would be verified by the court registrar.

Besides, the judge ordered that sureties must produce a passport photograph each while Mamman must submit his international passport to the court registry.

Justice Omotosho, who ordered Mamman to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail, adjourned the matter until September 25, 2024, for trial.

Justice Omotosho had, on Thursday, ordered the remand of the former minister in the correctional centre pending the hearing of his bail application.

The judge gave the order after Mamman pleaded not guilty to a 12-count amended charge bordering on money laundering offences.

Upon hearing the bail application on Friday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, A.O. Mohammed, did not oppose Mamman’s bail plea.

Delivering the ruling, the judge said granting bail is a constitutional right of the defendant which must be exercised judicially and judiciously.

He said the defendant is innocent until proven guilty by the law.

The EFCC had filed a 12-count money laundering charge against Mamman.

He was alleged to have committed money laundering offences to the tune of N33 billion.

The former minister served during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021.