Court grants ex-minister Mamman N10bn bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted 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 moved by his counsel, Femi Ate (SAN), on Friday, July 12, 2024, held that alternatively, the former minister should enter into a bond or agreement of N10 billion with a bank.

Justice Omotosho declared that the sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Omotosho also held that the sureties’ property, which must have title registers, must be worth N750 million.

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

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

N33bn fraud: Ex-minister Mamman remanded in Kuje prison

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.

The Star