Court Grants Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman N10bn Bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, bail in the sum of N10 billion with two sureties in like sum.

Mamman is facing 12 counts of money laundering to the tune of N33 billion preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In his ruling, Justice James Omotosho stated that the sureties must be owners of landed properties within the Federal Capital Territory, with a minimum valuation of N750 million.

The sureties are also required to submit their three-year tax clearance certificates, depose to an affidavit of means, and provide certified copies of their bank statements with their recent passport photographs.

Alternatively, the court said the sureties could submit a bank guarantee or bond in the sum of N10 billion.

The defendant is also required to surrender his international passport to the court’s Registrar, who must verify all the documents before the defendant is released from custody.

Mamman’s counsel, Femi Ate (SAN), had informed the court that a bail application was filed, but the judge said it wasn’t yet in the court file.

The judge then remanded the former minister in prison custody until the bail application could be heard.

Mamman pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts preferred against him by the EFCC. In his bail application, Mamman stated that he was on administrative bail for over two years and never violated any of the conditions.

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He prayed the court to exercise its discretion in his favor, assuring that he would always be available for his trial.

EFCC’s lawyer, A. O. Mohammed, did not object to the defendant’s request for bail but asked the court to impose conditions that would warrant the defendant to attend his trial. The court then adjourned the matter till September 25, 2024, for hearing.