The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to May 2. This decision was made on Monday after a session in court featured the playing of a video submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The video was presented as part of a trial-within-trial to address Mamman’s claim that he was forced to make a confession.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the video, which captured Mamman’s interaction with EFCC officials, should be played in open court to determine whether the former minister’s statement was made under pressure or not.
Mamman, who served as Minister of Power under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing charges related to a N33.8 billion fraud case. Through his lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Atteh, Mamman has argued that the EFCC obtained his statement unlawfully. According to him, the statement was not given voluntarily due to his poor health condition at the time of the interrogation.
In response, EFCC’s legal team, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), disputed Mamman’s claim. The commission maintained that all procedures were followed according to the law. The court then directed the EFCC to play the video of Mamman’s interview during the investigation.
The video showed Mamman explaining that he could not write his statement because he was not feeling well. During the session, EFCC lawyer Abbas Muhammed questioned EFCC investigator Abubakar Kwaido about the process followed during the interrogation. Kwaido confirmed that he read out the cautionary statement to Mamman before taking his statement and that it was done on camera.
When asked if Mamman was threatened or forced to make the statement, Kwaido replied that no form of harassment or pressure was used. He stated clearly that the ex-minister was informed of his rights before any questions were asked.
Justice Omotosho, after reviewing the video and hearing arguments from both sides, postponed the trial to May 2 for further proceedings.
