Court Orders Immediate Arrest of Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman After Disappearance in N31bn Fraud Trial
Justice Maryann Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday revoked the bail granted to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, and ordered his immediate arrest after he failed to appear in court for his ongoing criminal trial.
The court issued a bench warrant against Mamman following his absence during proceedings relating to a nine-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charges border on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and intent to defraud involving N31,070,541,349.64.
Mamman’s absence came just days after he was convicted by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on May 7, 2026. The former minister was found guilty on all 12 counts in a separate money laundering case involving N33.8 billion...READ FULL STORY; FROM THE SOURCE.
According to information presented before the court, Mamman has remained out of circulation since the conviction, and authorities have yet to locate him. Prosecutors said no explanation had been provided for his failure to attend either the current proceedings or the earlier judgment session where he was convicted.
At Monday’s hearing, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the first defendant’s absence was obvious and unjustified. He noted that neither Mamman nor his legal representatives had offered any explanation regarding his whereabouts.
Oyedepo also reminded the court that a warrant had already been issued by Justice Omotosho after Mamman failed to appear during the delivery of judgment in the money laundering trial.
Responding on behalf of the defence, Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, argued that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant in court following the issuance of the earlier bench warrant by the Federal High Court.
The prosecution rejected the argument, insisting that the defendant’s legal team was responsible for accounting for his whereabouts. Oyedepo urged the court to revoke Mamman’s bail and issue another bench warrant due to his continued absence from trial without reasonable justification.
“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,” Oyedepo told the court.
He further stated that the defendant had deliberately absented himself from the proceedings and remained in hiding despite an earlier arrest warrant. The prosecution also requested that the surety attached to Mamman’s bail arrangement be summoned at the next adjourned date.
After listening to both parties, Justice Anineh granted the prosecution’s requests. The judge revoked Mamman’s bail and directed security agencies to ensure his appearance before the court on the next adjourned date.
Justice Anineh also ruled that the trial would continue in Mamman’s absence in line with Section 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.
The EFCC is prosecuting Mamman alongside seven other defendants in connection with the alleged fraud. The anti-graft agency accused the defendants of conspiring to obtain public funds under false pretences and engaging in fraudulent activities amounting to over N31 billion.
The latest development adds to Mamman’s growing legal troubles after his recent conviction in the separate N33.8 billion money laundering case. Details of the conviction have heightened public attention on the ongoing prosecution and intensified efforts by authorities to locate the former minister.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until May 14, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.
