Justice Maryann Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, on Monday, revoked the bail granted the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman and issued a warrant for his arrest following his absence in court to face his criminal prosecution.
Mr Mamman has remained out of circulation and without traces since he was found guilty and convicted on 7 May 2026 on all 12-count charges, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33.8 billion by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
The former minister, alongside seven others, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Maryann Anineh on a nine-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and intent to defraud to the tune of N31,070,541,349.64.
At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that it was both noticeable and obvious that Mr Mamman, the first defendant, was absent in court and that his counsel has not given any reason for his absence, even as no reason was given for his absence during his conviction in Justice Omotosho’s court on 7 May.
Mr Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, in his response, stated that it was rather the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant following his conviction by Justice Omotosho and the bench warrant he issued against him.
In his objection, the prosecution counsel stated that it was not his responsibility to tell the court of the whereabouts of Mr Mamman, since he was not the one representing him.
He rather prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for Mamman’s arrest for absenteeism in court without justification and a revocation of his bail.
“My lord, I do not hold the brief of the first defendant, so it is not my duty to inform the court of the whereabouts of his client. A defendant without reasonable justification absented from trial; there was a warrant issued by the Federal High Court, which is yet to be executed, as the defendant is still in hiding. I apply that his bail be revoked and that my lordship issues a bench warrant against him and to also summon the surety on the next adjourned date,” he said.
READ ALSO: Court convicts ex-power minister of N33.8 billion fraud
Mr Oyedepo also urged the court to continue hearing on the trial in the absence of Mamman, citing Section 352, Subsection 4 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA 2015.
Justice Anineh, in her ruling, granted the requests of the prosecution. She revoked Mr Mamman’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his appearance in court at the next adjourned date.
She also held that the trial will continue in Mr Mamman’s absence in accordance with Section 352 of ACJA 2015.
The matter was adjourned till 14 May 2026 for the continuation of the trial.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
