Judge Summons Mamman’s Lawyer After Explosive Court Claim

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Mohammed Ahmed, counsel to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to appear before it over statements contained in an affidavit he filed after the ex-minister’s conviction.

Naija News reports that Justice James Omotosho gave the directive after reviewing an affidavit of facts submitted by the lawyer on May 22.

In the document, Ahmed reportedly suggested that the judgement delivered against Mamman was influenced by the judge’s anger during proceedings.

The court directed the lawyer to appear on June 24, the same date fixed for hearing an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the forfeiture of more properties allegedly connected to the former minister.

Mamman was found guilty on May 7 on money laundering charges involving public funds and was later sentenced to 75 years in prison on May 13.

The court had also issued a warrant for his arrest after he repeatedly failed to attend proceedings, including sessions where the judgement and sentence were delivered.

Following intelligence gathering and surveillance, EFCC operatives arrested the former minister on May 19 at a location in Rigasa, Kaduna State.

A relative identified as Shamsudeen Mohammed was also arrested alongside him.

The anti-graft agency later brought Mamman back before the court on May 26. During that sitting, Justice Omotosho ordered that he be taken to the Kuje Custodial Centre to begin serving his sentence.

The court also fixed June 8 for hearing an EFCC request seeking the permanent forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to him.

The properties listed in the application include Walijam Apartments on Lobito Crescent in Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; two mansions on Misratah Street in Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza located on Kade Street in Wuse 2.

At the June 8 proceedings, EFCC lawyer and Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the commission was seeking permanent forfeiture of the assets on the grounds that they were connected to the convict’s criminal activities.

During the hearing, the judge drew attention to the affidavit filed by Ahmed and requested clarification regarding parts of the document. Oyedepo informed the court that the prosecution had not been served with the affidavit.

The court then ordered that the document be served on the prosecution and directed Ahmed to personally appear and explain the contents.

When the matter came up again on Wednesday, Ahmed was absent. Another lawyer representing the defence team, Suleiman Yakubu, told the court that Ahmed was ill and unable to attend.

He explained that the lawyer had been battling a persistent cough that had not responded to treatment and had travelled to his village to seek further medical care.

Justice Omotosho questioned the explanation, particularly the suggestion that the illness could be tuberculosis.

Oyedepo also expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the defence team, arguing that legal practitioners have a duty to act responsibly in judicial proceedings.

He maintained that the prosecution was prepared to proceed with the forfeiture application and complained that there had been poor communication from the defence.

Yakubu rejected the criticism and insisted that it was unfair to suggest that the defence team was acting out of frustration over the outcome of the case.

After reviewing the events that followed Mamman’s conviction, the judge decided to grant Ahmed another opportunity to appear before the court.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until June 24 for hearing of the EFCC’s forfeiture application and the lawyer’s appearance to address issues raised in the affidavit.