The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, of fraud involving N33.8 billion.
Trial judge, James Omotosho, convicted him on all 12 counts, holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved it case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge rebuked the convict for living large as minister, at the expense of Nigerians, saying that his action was part of what kept Nigerians in perpetual darkness.
Following a request by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the court issued a warrant for the arrest of the convict, who was absent from court when the judgement was delivered on Thursday.
Earlier, the convict’s lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that he had no access to the his client since Tuesday, when he received the notice of the judgement.
He said, one of the associates of the convict informed him that the former minister was unable to attend Thursday’s proceedings because he was sick.
Mr Oyedepo urged the court to issue a warrant for former minister’s arrest, as the defence failed to provide credible evidence, like a medical report, to back his claim of ill health.
Granting the request, the judge ordered that the state should look for the convict, arrest him and produce him in court for sentencing, having been convicted of the offences for which he was charged by the anti-graft agency.
He fixed 13 May for sentencing.
Judge Omotosho had, in December last year, dismissed a no-case submission filed by the former minister, ruling that he had a case to answer.
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The judge held that the prosecution established a prima facie case against the former minister adding that, the evidence presented was sufficient for the defendant to provide explanations or mount a defence, particularly considering the seriousness of the allegations.
Mr Mamman was appointed Minister of Power by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019 and later relieved of his duties in September 2021.
…More details later.
