By Anthony Ochela
Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has explained why he could not write a confessional statement during interrogation by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in preparatory of the alleged N33.8 billion fraud charge filed against him.
Mamman disclosed this to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a video clip played in the open court during a trial-within-trial to ascertain if the statements sought to be tendered by the EFCC were voluntarily made by the ex-minister.
Justice Omotosho had ordered that the video clip of the interview session conducted by the commission’s officials during their investigation be played in the open court, following allegations that the ex-minister did not voluntarily make the statement.
Mamman’s lawyer, Mr Femi Atteh, SAN, had opposed the application by the anti-graft agency’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, to tender the statement in evidence, arguing that his client did not make the statement voluntarily.
The judge consequently ordered that the video clip be played to ascertain the veracity of the argument.
It would be recalled that on Monday, the two-hour video clip was played for 30 minutes before the judge adjourned for continuation of trial-within-trial.
Upon resumed hearing, the former minister, in the video, said after he came back from a foreign medical trip where he had surgery, he was confronted with allegations of money laundering.
When he was asked if he could write a statement, he said he was indisposed.
Mamman, who spoke in Hausa Language during interrogation but was interpreted in English Language by an interpreter of the court, said he honoured the commission ‘s invitation despite his ill-health.
“You know I am not strong,” he said.
In the video, another investigator came into the room mid discussion and exchanged pleasantries with the ex-minister.
When the officier asked him how his health was, Saleh said he was getting better.
He said he had surgery and that about a month or two, he had been battling with the illness.
He said that was why he travelled.
When the officer asked him where he travelled to, he said “Saudi Arabia.”
