The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Minister of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, who is facing charges of complicity in a N33 billion fraud.
In a ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho, Mamman was granted bail in the sum of N10 billion, with two sureties required in the same amount.
The court specified that the sureties must own properties within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) valued at a minimum of N750 million.
Additionally, the sureties are required to submit their three-year tax clearance certificates and depose to an affidavit of means.
Both the defendant and the sureties must provide certified copies of their bank statements along with recent passport photographs.
Mamman is also required to surrender his international passport to the court registrar, who must verify all documents before his release.
As an alternative to the sureties, the court allowed for a bank guarantee or bond in the sum of N10 billion.
Until all bail conditions are met, Mamman will remain in custody.
The case has been adjourned until September 25 for further hearing.
Mamman, who has pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), applied for bail through his lawyer, Mr. Femi Ate, SAN.
His application was based on the provisions of Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
He argued that he had been on administrative bail for over two years without violating any conditions set by the EFCC.
The EFCC, represented by lawyer Mr. A. O. Mohammed did not oppose the bail application but requested that the court impose conditions to ensure Mamman’s attendance at trial.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was arrested in 2021, months after being removed from office. He is accused of conspiring with ministry staff to divert funds intended for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects, allegedly using the money to acquire properties both within and outside Nigeria.
Notably, Mamman collapsed outside the courtroom on Thursday, highlighting the high tension surrounding the case.