Saleh Mamman saga: Olisah Metuh, other politicians who collapsed during ‘fraud’ trial

Former minister of power, Saleh Mamman collapsed outside the federal high court in Abuja on Thursday.

Mamman appeared in court as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 12-count charge against him for money laundering amounting to N33,804,830,503.

Before proceedings began, Femi Ate, Mamman’s counsel, informed the judge, James Omotosho that his client had fainted due to ill health.

The defense and prosecution, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika discussed the incident, and Ate requested an adjournment to Monday due to Mamman’s health, but the judge scheduled the arraignment for late September due to a backlog of cases. This plea was therefore withdrawn.

However, the judge noted an error in the defendant’s name on the charge sheet, leading to a brief adjournment until 1 pm that day.

Mamman, who served as a minister from August 2019 until his dismissal in September 2021, was arrested in May 2023 over an alleged N22 billion fraud. The EFCC claims that Mamman conspired with officials and private companies to misappropriate N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

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Here’s a list of politicians that have collapsed during ‘fraud’ trials

Cecilia Ibru

In September 2009, Cecilia Ibru, former CEO of the now-defunct Oceanic Bank plc, fainted in court while charges were being read against her. Despite the interruption, proceedings resumed shortly after she received medical attention from her doctor.

The following year, a Federal High Court in Lagos convicted her on three counts: negligence, reckless approval of billions in credit facilities, and mismanagement of depositors’ funds. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to forfeit assets worth N191 billion.

Ada Ugo-Ngali

In January 2017, Ada Ugo-Ngali, the managing director of Ontario Oil and Gas Limited, collapsed at the Lagos High Court after being found guilty in a N754 million oil subsidy scam case. She fainted just before sentencing. She later received a 10-year prison term and was ordered to return N754 million to the government.

However, in February 2018, her conviction was overturned by an appeals court due to the absence of her co-accused during sentencing.

Olisah Metuh

On May 21, 2018, Olisah Metuh, the former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), fainted during a session at the federal high court in Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had indicted Metuh on seven charges of money laundering for purportedly receiving N400 million from the office of the national security adviser.

On different occasions, Metuh attended court in a wheelchair and on a stretcher.

Kemebradikumo Pondei

Kemebradikumo Pondei, who was the acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), fainted on July 20 while testifying before a house of representatives committee investigating the alleged mismanagement of N81.5 billion by the NDDC’s interim management under his leadership.

After being revived, he was taken out of the venue, which ended his testimony. Later, Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker of the house, stated that the panel no longer needed to hear from Pondei.

Abdulrasheed Maina

Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), was captured in Niger Republic and extradited to Nigeria on December 3, 2020 after skipping bail and going into hiding in September, 2020.

Maina wa on trial for allegedly laundering N2 billion. During the resumed proceedings, Maina collapsed in a federal high court in Abuja, forcing the judge to suspend the hearing.

Femi Fani-Kayode

Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister, collapsed at the premises of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja while he was in detention over allegations of illegally obtaining N4.9 billion from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Fani-Kayode, who also served as a spokesperson for the Goodluck Jonathan campaign leading up to the 2015 election, became ill after spending 67 days in detention.