News
Money Laundering: Drama as Buhari’s Minister of Power, Mamman collapses in court
By Francesca Hangeior
The trial of Saleh Mamman, who served as the Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was postponed on Thursday after he fainted just outside the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mamman, who was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday morning for his trial, fainted before the proceedings began.
The lawyer for Mamman, Femi Ate, SAN, informed Justice James Omotosho right after the trial was announced that Mamman needed to take his plea.
When the trial resumed, the former minister entered the courtroom and took his place on the dock, with some of his clothing already soaked.
Justice Omotosho then inquired about Mamman’s condition, asking if he was overheating or if it was raining outside.
Mamman, from his position on the dock, replied that he had been drenched with water.
The lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, while speaking in court, mentioned that the trial for Mamman had been scheduled, but there was an unexpected incident outside the courtroom.
Olumide-Fusika explained that he had a conversation with Ate outside the courtroom regarding Mamman’s health issues.
“I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learned senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself,” he said.
Addressing journalists on Thursday morning, Ate said Mamman, “Upon being brought into the premises of the court, collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court.”
Ate stressed that his client (Mamman), was served with the charge after he was resuscitated.
“He was served this morning,” he added.
The senior lawyer requested a delay in proceedings from Olumide-Fusika to ensure the arraignment could take place on Monday, when his client would be in a better state.
However, the judge informed them that the court was so busy with cases that the arraignment could only be rescheduled for the end of September.
Following this, Olumide-Fusika decided to cancel the request for a delay.
Olumide-Fusika mentioned that he had corrected a typo in the defendant’s name earlier that morning and asked the court to inform Mamman of the updated charge, hoping he would give his plea. However, Justice Omotosho opposed this request.
The judge then inquired if Mamman was capable of giving his plea today, to which he replied in the affirmative.
The former minister explained to the court that he fainted outside the courtroom due to not eating and the effects of the drugs he had taken. While waiting outside, his blood pressure dropped.
Mamman, on the other hand, stated that he was in good health and ready to proceed with the arraignment.
“It can happen to anyone,” the judge said.
The former minister stated to the judge that he notified his attorney about the mistake the EFCC made regarding the name included in the arrest warrant they presented to him.
However, Justice Omotosho then stepped down the arraignment.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has presented certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Adelami Olayide.
The certificates were handed over in Abuja on Wednesday by the Supervisory National Commissioner for Ondo State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi.
This comes four days after INEC declared Aiyedatiwa the winner of the governorship election held on Saturday.
Representing the All Progressives Congress, Aiyedatiwa defeated Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party and 15 other candidates.
He won across all 18 local government areas of the state, polling 366,781 votes against Ajayi’s 117,845.
News
“Na your papa Family or Inheritance? – Nigerians React As Ndume Begs Senate To Allow Ifeanyi Ubah’s Widow To Replace Him in senate
Some Nigerians have queried the lawmaker representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, who pleaded with the Senate to allow the widow of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to replace him as the representative of Anambra South Senatorial District.
Recall that Ndume had argued that it is necessary to preserve Ubah’s legacy and aspirations through his family.
Ndume made the appeal during the Valedictory session held on Tuesday in honour of the late senator.
Citing historical precedents, Ndume argued that such a move would honour the late senator’s contributions to the Senate and ensure continuity in representing his constituency.
However, Ndume’s suggestion earned him criticism from Nigerians, questioning if political offices are hereditary or family property.
@chimm_di wrote: “I don’t understand… succeed him as per? His property or family inheritance? This country sev”
@orefolayan wrote: “Is the Senate seat a Monarchy? Which one be “succeed him”?”
@kelvin_hartz wrote: “A widow that should be m0urning her husband.”
@adumaadand6 wrote: “So we are now practicing a hereditary monarchical system of government in the Senate? Is it a family heirloom that needs to be inherited? What exactly is going on in this country? Who deemed her worthy to decide our fate in this country? Are we using sentiments now? Why can’t she go through the same process other senate went through? Be voted for. Did the people she wants to represent them say they want her? I’ve so many questions cos this is just something else”
@101fred wrote: “Naija de turn family business small small . People now inherit government positions… hmmm”
@innocent wrote: “That you guys in the North and soon Lagos are now treating elected political positions as family inheritance which is why El rufai and so on have their families and kids in Federal Political offices. It does not mean South East tolerates such. Keep your monarchy system of government up there to yourselves.”
@augustine_vivian wrote: “So politics in Nigeria has suddenly becomes family HERITAGE”
@meyer7xxx wrote: “It’s not a thing of competence, it’s a family business and they are no longer bothered dishing it out in our faces”
City news
The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District Manu Haruna has embarked on massive training of students across his constituency in Taraba State.
Recall that before this training, Senator Manu had embarked on similar training in his constituency where over 1000 students benefitted with starter packs.
In this on going program put together by Senator Manu Haruna and the Centre for National Productivity started on Wednesday and is expected to end on Thursday, where the trainees will collect their starter packs consisting of computers and other necessary gadgets.
The program is on going in five local governments namely: Gassol LGA
Sardauna LGA Bali LGA Kurmi LGA
Gashaka LGA.
While declaring the program open, representative of Senator Manu Haruna Director General of his Campaign, Hon Simon Dogari, who also led other members council to the event said:
“This is not the first of its kind that our iconic leader Senator has organized, in the past he had organized similar training programs where over 3,000 students benefitted across our Senatorial District.
He said: ” This particular program will sharpen the skills of all participants to prepare them for the new world order of internet surfing.
“I plead with you all to attend to to your lectures with all seriousness as at the end of this program you will get starter packs consisting of a laptop.
Others who represented Senator Manu at the event include:
Hon Alhassan Hamman Gassol
Alh. Shaibu Ishaka Kurmi
Hon. Abbas Kaura
Hon. Dr Abdullahi Jugulde
Hon. Hassan Bako
Hon. Somalia Sule
Alh. Falalu Manu
Alh. Alhassan Doro
Hon. Mohammed Nagogo
Prof. Yushua Ahmed Bali
Hon. Muslim Aruwa Commissioner for science and Technology Taraba State
INEC presents certificates of return to Gov Aiyedatiwa, deputy
“Na your papa Family or Inheritance? – Nigerians React As Ndume Begs Senate To Allow Ifeanyi Ubah’s Widow To Replace Him in senate
Massive empowerment: Senator Manu embarks on another ICT training in Taraba Central (Video)
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