A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, July 12, 2024, admitted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a N10 billion bail with two sureties.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on Mamman’s bail application moved by his counsel, Femi Ate, held that alternatively, the former minister shall enter into a bond or agreement of N10 billion with a bank.
Mamman who served under former President Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was arrested on May 10, 2021, and detained at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
The EFCC had filed a 12-count money laundering charge to the tune of N33 billion against Mamman.
The former minister’s arrest followed his sack by ex-president Buhari on September 1, 2021, during what was termed cabinet restructuring.
Mamman was accused of conspiring with some staff of the ministry in charge of the accounts of the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects to divert billions of naira.
The investigations by the EFCC exposed property in Nigeria and overseas allegedly linked to the suspects, while millions of naira and dollars were reportedly recovered.
Details of the bail conditions
Continuing with his ruling Justice Omotosho said that the sureties to be provided by Mamman must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court while holding that the sureties’ property, which must have title registers, must be worth N750 million in valuation.
In addition, the sureties must present before the court an affidavit of means and three years of tax evidence which would be verified by the registrar.
He also ordered that the sureties must produce a passport photograph each while Mamman is mandated to submit his travel passport to the court registry.
Justice Omotosho, who ordered Mamman to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail, adjourned the matter until September 25, 2024, for trial.
