Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman: Court Revokes Bail, Orders Arrest Over Alleged N31 Billion Fraud

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday revoked the bail earlier granted to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, and issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his continued absence from court in his ongoing criminal trial. The order was made by Justice Maryann Anineh after the court noted that Mamman failed to appear for proceedings in a case involving allegations of large-scale financial misconduct brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The development came as the court was expected to continue hearing in a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and intent to defraud involving an alleged N31,070,541,349.64 (Thirty-one Billion, Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Forty-one Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-nine Naira, Sixty-four Kobo). Mamman, alongside seven others, is being prosecuted in relation to the alleged offences, which form part of a broader investigation into financial transactions linked to public office during his tenure as minister. The prosecution further informed the court that the former minister “has remained out of circulation and without traces” since he was previously convicted on May 7, 2026, on a separate 12-count charge bordering on money laundering involving N33.8 billion by Justice James Omotosho sitting in Maitama, Abuja. At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, drew the attention of the court to Mamman’s absence, stating that it was “both noticeable and obvious” that the defendant was not in court, and that his legal team had not provided any explanation for his non-appearance. He further told the court that no justification had been offered for Mamman’s absence during his earlier conviction proceedings before Justice Omotosho on May 7. In response, defence counsel, Femi Atteh, argued that the responsibility of producing the defendant lay with the prosecution, particularly in view of the conviction already entered and the bench warrant previously issued by the Federal High Court. However, the prosecution strongly objected to this position, insisting that it was not their duty to account for the whereabouts of the defendant. “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,” Oyedepo submitted. He further urged the court to proceed with the trial in Mamman’s absence, relying on Section 352, Subsection 4 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which permits continuation of proceedings where a defendant absconds without reasonable cause. After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Anineh ruled in favour of the prosecution. The court consequently revoked Mamman’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest, directing that he be produced at the next adjourned date. The judge also held that the trial would proceed in Mamman’s absence in accordance with Section 352 of the ACJA 2015, noting that the law allows courts to continue criminal proceedings where a defendant deliberately absents himself. The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 14, 2026, for continuation of hearing. The court convicted Mamman on the 12-count amended charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving billions of naira earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects. However, drama unfolded in court on Thursday as the former minister failed to appear for the judgment. His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that although the defence received hearing notice that judgment would be delivered, all attempts to reach Mamman had failed.