There was a mild drama on Thursday, July 11 2024 when Mr Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power under the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, collapsed outside the courtroom, the situation temporarily stalled proceedings at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Mamman, whose plea was slated for Thursday morning, collapsed before the case was called. NAN reports that the former minister’s counsel, Femi Ate, SAN, told Justice James Omotosho soon when the matter was called for Mamman to take his plea.

When the hearing resumed, the ex-minister of power entered the courtroom and stepped into the dock with part of his clothes dampened. The presiding judge, Justice Omotosho then asked why Mamman was sweating or whether it was raining outside.
The former minister, who answered from the dock, said water was poured on him to revive him.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, while addressing the court, said though the matter was fixed for Mamman’s arraignment, there was a development outside the courtroom. Olumide-Fusika said he had a discussion with Ate outside the courtroom about Mamman’s ill health.

He said, “I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learned senior advocate to tell the honorable court himself,” he said.

Speaking, 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.”

He said his client was served with the charge after he was resuscitated. “He was served this morning,” he added.

The senior lawyer said he sought the understanding of Olumide-Fusika for an adjournment so that the arraignment could be done on Monday when his client would have been okay.

However the judge said due to the workload in the court dockets, the arraignment could only be fixed for September ending. Ate then withdrew the oral application for an adjournment.

The judge, however, asked Mamman if he was fit enough to take his plea today, and he responded in the affirmative. The former minister explained to the court that he collapsed outside the courtroom because of the drugs he took when he had not eaten, and while he was outside the courtroom waiting to be called, his blood pressure dropped.

Mamman, however, said he was fit to continue with the arraignment.

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