A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, be remanded in Kuje prison pending the consideration of his bail application.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Thursday, July 11, after Mamman was arraigned on a 12-count charge of money laundering. Mamman pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), prompting the prosecuting lawyer, Olumide Fusika (SAN), to request a date for the trial to begin.

The defense lawyer, Femi Ate (SAN), mentioned that a bail application had been filed just before the court session resumed. Although Fusika acknowledged receiving the bail application around 12:30 pm, Justice Omotosho noted that it was not yet in the court’s file.

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Ate requested to return the next day to argue the bail application, a request that Fusika did not oppose. The judge then adjourned the hearing of the bail application until Friday, July 12, and ordered Mamman to be remanded in Kuje correctional centre.

Mamman, who his lawyer said is ill, looked dejected as he stepped off the dock following the judge’s pronouncement.