News
Despite fainting, judge remands ex-power minister in Kuje prison
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A federal high court in Abuja has remanded Saleh Mamman, a former minister of power, in the Kuje correctional facility pending the hearing of his bail application.
On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering up to N33,804,830,503.
The former minister pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After the plea, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, counsel to the EFCC, sought the date for the commencement of the trial.
Femi Ate, counsel to the former minister, told the court that his client had submitted his bail application.
Olumide-Fusika responded that he was served with the bail application around 12:30pm today.
Afterwards, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to allow the bail application hearing the next day.
The EFCC counsel did not oppose the request.
In his ruling, James Omotosho, the trial judge, adjourned the bail application to Friday
MAMMAN COLLAPSED OUTSIDE COURTROOM
Before the court proceedings began, Mamman collapsed outside of the courtroom.
Mamman’s counsel informed the judge that his client had fainted due to ill health.
When the hearing resumed, the ex-minister entered the courtroom and the dock while his clothes were partly drenched.
The judge then asked Mamman why he was sweating or whether it was raining.
The former minister said water had been poured on him.
The former minister told the judge that he collapsed outside the courtroom due to the effects of some drugs administered to him without food.
He added that while waiting to be called, his blood pressure dropped.
Mamman told the court that he could take his plea after being asked by the judge if he was fit enough.
The judge, however, asked Mamman if he was fit enough to take his plea, and he responded in the affirmative.
His counsel asked the court to allow him to return the next day to argue the bail application.
The EFCC lawyer did not oppose the request, and the judge adjourned the matter until Friday for the hearing of the bail application.
THE CASE
Mamman was appointed minister by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019. He was sacked in September 2021.
In May 2023, the former minister was arrested by the anti-graft agency over an alleged N22 billion fraud.
In the charge sheet seen by TheCable, the anti-graft agency alleged that Mamman conspired with officials at the ministry of power and some private companies to “indirectly convert” N33.8 billion, which was meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
The EFCC alleged that Mamman was aided by one Samson Bitrus to make a cash payment of $655,700 without going through a financial institution
News
Core Public Servants hail Tinubu for appointing thoroughbred Procurement officer, Adedokun as BPP DG
A group under the aegis of Core Public Servants, CPS hail President Bola Tinubu for appointing Dr Adebowale Adedokun, a thoroughbred Procurement officer as the Director General of Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP.
CPS in a congratulatory letter signed by Kudirat Akindero to Adedokun lauded President Tinubu for following due process and picking the most qualified to run the affairs of the soecialised agency.
In the letter, the ADSC said:
“Congratulations to Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, PhD (MCIPS, CMILT), on his appointment as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
“This significant achievement reflects his extensive expertise and unwavering dedication to advancing public procurement in Nigeria.
“With over 20 years of robust experience in public service, Dr. Adedokun has made substantial contributions to procurement reform.
“His distinguished academic background includes a doctorate in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, complemented by four master’s degrees in Procurement, Finance, Technology, and Transportation Management.
” This diverse educational foundation equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities inherent in procurement processes.
“In his career, Dr. Adedokun has held pivotal roles, including serving as a National Consultant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on public procurement reforms.
“He represents Nigeria in the International Research Study on Public Procurement (IRSPP) and serves as a World Bank Resource Person on Sustainable Procurement. His commitment to capacity building is evident in his training of over 4,000 federal and state government procurement professionals nationwide.
” Additionally, he has been instrumental as the focal point officer for the UN Women Project aimed at empowering women in procurement in Nigeria and as the Project Coordinator/Procurement Node for the SPESSE – World Bank Project.
“Dr. Adedokun’s professional affiliations are extensive, including membership in the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), UK; Chartered Membership in the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT); Fellowship in the Institute of Strategic Management Nigeria (ISMN); Fellowship in the Institute of Management Consultants (ICMC), Nigeria; membership in the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACArb); Fellowship in the Nigeria Institute of Training & Development (NITAD); membership in the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM); and membership in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).
In recognition of his consistent contributions to reform, Dr. Adedokun was honored with a Certificate of Special Recognition by USAID’s Nigerian Reforms Project in July 2009.
As he assumes the role of Director-General of the BPP, Dr. Adedokun’s extensive knowledge and experience are anticipated to significantly contribute to the agency’s strategic repositioning.
” His leadership is expected to advance efficiency, transparency, and accountability within Nigeria’s public procurement system.
Once again, congratulations to Dr. Adebowale Adedokun on this well-deserved appointment.
Core Public Servants hail Tinubu for appointing thoroughbred Procurement officer, Adedokun as BPP DG
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