metro
Money laundering: Ex power minister, Mamman faints in court
Money laundering: Ex power minister, Mamman faints in court
Saleh Mamman, a former minister of power, on Thursday collapsed during his arraignment before the federal high court in Abuja.
Mamman is standing trial for a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503
The charge is brought against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Before proceedings, Femi Ate, Mamman’s counsel, told James Omotosho, the judge, that his client had fainted due to ill health.
When he regained consciousness, the ex-minister joined the hearing when it resumed, he walked into the courtroom and stepped into the dock with his clothes slightly drenched.
The judge then asked Mamman why he was sweating or whether it was raining.
The ex-minister said water had been poured on him.
Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, the EFCC counsel, had told the court that there was a development outside the courtroom.
Olumide-Fusika said he had discussed Mamman’s sickness with Ate outside the courtroom.
“I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learned senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself,” Olumide-Fusika said.
Responding, Ate said “upon being brought into the premises of the court, Mamman collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the federal high court”.
He said his client was served with the charge after he was resuscitated.
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“He was served this morning,” he added.
Ate said he had appealed to Olumide-Fusika that the case be adjourned to Monday on account of his client’s ill health.
However, the judge declined, saying the backlog in the court dockets will make short adjournment impossible, adding that the arraignment could only be fixed for September ending.
Ate then withdrew the oral application for an adjournment.
‘I TOOK DRUGS WITHOUT EATING’
Olumide-Fusika said he had filed an amended charge in the morning following a mistake in the name of the defendant, and prayed that a fresh charge be read to Mamman so he could take his plea.
Omotosho however demurred.
The judge then asked Mamman if he was fit enough to take his plea today. The defendant responded in the affirmative.
The former minister told the court that he collapsed outside the courtroom because he had taken medicines on an empty stomach.
He said while he was outside the courtroom waiting to be called, his blood pressure dropped.
Mamman said he was fit to continue with the arraignment.
“It can happen to any one,” the judge said.
The ex-minister told the court that he called the attention of his lawyer to “the error” made by the EFCC in the charge served on him.
“I was complaining about the name, that it was not my own,” he said.
Omotosho then stepped down the arraignment until 1pm today.
Mamman was appointed minister by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019 and was sacked in September 2021.
In May 2023, the former minister was arrested by the anti-graft agency over an alleged N22 billion fraud.
The anti-graft agency alleges that Mamman conspired with officials at the power ministry and some private companies to “indirectly convert” the sum of N33.8 billion, which was meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
Money laundering: Ex power minister, Mamman faints in court
metro
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.
The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.
A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.
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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.
“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”
The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.
The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
metro
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.
During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.
It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.
In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.
He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.
The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.
He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.
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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.
He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.
“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.
Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.
“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.
“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
metro
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.
A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.
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The statement reads:
“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.
“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”
Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
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