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 faces 12 counts of money laundering totaling N33 billion, as charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Friday, the court specified that the sureties must own landed properties within the Federal Capital Territory, with a minimum valuation of N750 million. Additionally, the sureties are required to submit their three-year tax clearance certificates, depose to an affidavit of means, and provide certified copies of their bank statements along with recent passport photographs.
Alternatively, the sureties could submit a bank guarantee or bond in the sum of N10 billion.
The court also ordered Mamman to surrender his international passport to the court’s Registrar. The Registrar must verify all the documents before Mamman is released from custody. Until the bail conditions are perfected, Mamman is to remain in prison custody.
The matter has been adjourned until September 25, 2024, for hearing.
On Thursday, Mamman took his plea, with his counsel, Femi Ate (SAN), informing the court of a bail application filed earlier. However, the judge noted that the application was not yet in the court file and subsequently remanded the former minister in prison custody until the bail application was heard on Friday.
The bail application, dated July 11, 2024, was based on Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. Mamman argued that he had been on administrative bail for over two years without violating any conditions set by the EFCC.
He requested the court to exercise its discretion in his favor, pledging to always be available for his trial. Mamman assured the court that he had reliable persons to stand surety for him and that he would not interfere with or influence any witnesses scheduled to testify against him.
