BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—A former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has been declared wanted after failing to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, where he is facing multiple fraud-related charges.
Justice Maryann Anineh, on Monday, revoked the bail earlier granted to the former minister and subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his continued absence from court proceedings.
Mamman has reportedly remained out of circulation since May 7, 2026, when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama convicted him on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering involving about ₦33.8 billion.
The former minister is also standing trial alongside seven others in a separate case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Anineh. The defendants are facing a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and alleged intent to defraud to the tune of ₦31.07 billion.
At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that Mamman was absent and that no explanation had been provided by his legal team regarding his whereabouts. He further noted that no justification was offered for Mamman’s absence during the earlier proceedings that led to his conviction before Justice Omotosho.
Responding, Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, argued that following the earlier conviction and the bench warrant already issued by the Federal High Court, it was the responsibility of the prosecution authorities to produce the defendant before the court.
However, Oyedepo disagreed, insisting that it was not the duty of the prosecution to account for the whereabouts of a defendant represented by counsel. He urged the court to revoke Mamman’s bail, issue a fresh bench warrant for his arrest, and summon his surety at the next adjourned sitting.
The prosecution also asked the court to continue with the trial in Mamman’s absence pursuant to Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
In her ruling, Justice Anineh granted the prosecution’s applications, revoked the defendant’s bail, and ordered his arrest ahead of the next hearing date. The court further ruled that the trial would continue despite Mamman’s absence in line with the provisions of the ACJA 2015.
The matter was adjourned until May 14, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.
