The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted into evidence a medical report presented by former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in the ongoing trial-within-trial concerning alleged fraud linked to the Mambilla Hydropower Project.
Our Reporter
The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted into evidence a medical report presented by former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in the ongoing trial-within-trial concerning alleged fraud linked to the Mambilla Hydropower Project.
The document, dated January 16, 2024, was tendered by Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, to establish that the ex-minister was unwell and mentally unfit to make statements during his interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice James Omotosho earlier overruled EFCC’s objection to the re-playing of a video recording, which showed Mamman informing investigators of his health challenges. The footage, subsequently admitted as evidence, depicted Mamman presenting his medical report to EFCC officer Abubakar Kwaido before giving his statement.
During cross-examination, Atteh questioned Kwaido—an EFCC investigator—on whether it was standard practice to obtain statements from individuals in poor health. Kwaido responded in the negative.
The defence is arguing that Mamman’s extra-judicial statements were not made voluntarily due to his health condition. Furthermore, the defence contends the statements violate sections 15 and 17 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which mandate that such statements be video-recorded and made in the presence of legal counsel.
Atteh highlighted several statements made on May 10, 11, 12, 15, and 17, as well as August 3 and 9, 2023, claiming they failed to meet ACJA requirements. He also referenced Mamman’s February 20, 2024 statement, in which the former minister noted: *“I instructed my lawyer to write my statement on my behalf as a result of my ill health.
