Saleh Mamman, a former Minister of Power, collapsed outside the courtroom on Thursday at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Counsel to the Ex-minister, Femi Ate, SAN, told Justice James Omotosho when he was called to take his plea, that his client, whose plea was fixed for Thursday morning, collapsed outside the courtroom prior to his case being called.

When Mamman walked into the courtroom and stepped into the dock with part of his clothes soaked.

Justice Omotosho then asked why he was sweating or whether it was raining outside.

The ex-minister, who responded from the dock, said water was poured on him.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, while addressing the court, noted that the matter was fixed for Mamman’s arraignment, there was a development outside the courtroom.

The lawyer said he had a discussion with Ate outside the courtroom about Mamman’s ill-health.

“I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learner senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself”.

Ate said Mamman, “upon being brought into the premises of the court collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court.”

He added that his client was served with the charge after he was resuscitated.

“He was served this morning,” Ate said.

The senior lawyer asked if adjournment could be done on Monday when the former Minister would have been better.

The judge however, said, due to the workload in the court dockets, the arraignment could only be fixed for September ending.

Recall that the anti-graft agency had filed a 12-count charge against Saleh Mamman.

Mamman who was appointed by former president, Muhammadu Buhari, is accused of money laundering to the tune of N33 billion.

In May 2023, the former minister was arrested by EFCC over an alleged N22 billion fraud.