Former power minister Saleh Mamman was absent in court on Thursday as the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, was set to deliver judgment in the alleged N33.8 billion money laundering charge.
Justice James Omotosho had rescheduled the judgment for today after parties in the case were duly served with hearing notices.
However, when the matter was called, the ex-minister was not in court.
The lawyer who appeared for Mr Mamman, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that, although the defence had received the hearing notice that the matter would be coming up for judgment, they had been unable to get in touch with him.
“My Lord, the defendant is not in court. We received a message that the matter is for judgment, and it was delivered on Tuesday.
“Since then, we have been trying to reach him (Mr Mamman), but all efforts made have not been successful. But yesterday, one of his associates informed us that he is indisposed,” Mr Ahmed said.
When the judge asked if there was any medical report about Mr Mamman’s ill-health, the lawyer responded negatively.
Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC’s counsel, told the court that the hearing notice was also received by the prosecution and that the judgment would be delivered today.
He said the defence lawyer confirmed that they were aware of the proceedings.
Mr Oyedepo, who is also the director of public prosecution of the federation, however, said that there was no evidence to back Mr Ahmed’s submission that Mr Mamman was indisposed and that no strong reason was given by the lawyer.
The prosecution lawyer said that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the court has the discretionary power to proceed with the judgment.
“We are aware that the defendant has been on bail,” he said.
He, however, suggested that the court could stand down on the matter to get Mr Mamman’s whereabouts and reconvene for the judgment later.
But Mr Ahmed insisted that they had been unable to know the whereabouts of their client.
“All efforts to get in contact with him have proved abortive,” he said.
The lawyer, who prayed the court for an adjournment, said Mr Mamman had been diligent in attendance since the beginning of the trial.
“But today, we were informed by one of his associates that he is sick. My Lord, the defendant has never missed court for the past two years,” he added.
Mr Oyedepo said that, since there was no indication as to when Mr Mamman might be seen, he applied for the court to proceed with the judgment.
Mr Ahmed equally aligned with Mr Oyedepo’s submission.
“My lord can proceed to give judgment, and if it is in his favour, bye bye to the court, but if convicted, my lord can proceed with the sentence on another date,” Mr Ahmed said.
Mr Omotosho then asked whether the defence could be given a day’s adjournment to allow the defendant to be in court, but Mr Ahmed prayed for a longer adjournment.
The judge, who said a notice was duly issued to the parties regarding the date, said the court would not announce the hearing date on social media.
The judge frowned at Mr Ahmed’s response, saying lawyers should be careful not to paint the judiciary in a bad light.
“The defendant is not here, and there is no medical report to back this. We are all ministers in the temple of justice counsel,” the judge said.
Mr Oyedepo then urged the court to proceed with the judgment.
“We are saying that the court can proceed with the judgment, and if convicted, we will apply for a date for sentencing, and if he is discharged, fine,” he said.
Mr Omotosho, therefore, resolved to proceed with the judgment. As of the time of filing this report, the judgment is still being read.
Mr Mamman, who recently indicated his intention to vie for the 2027 governorship race in Taraba, obtained the nomination form on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
The EFCC, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024, preferred a 12-count amended charge against the ex-minister as the sole defendant.
The commission arraigned Mr Mamman in July 2024 on alleged money laundering and conspiracy with officials at the ministry and some private companies to “indirectly convert” the sum of N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
The former minister, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
(NAN)
