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 issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.
Mamman, who was recently convicted in a separate corruption case, is standing trial alongside seven others in a case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged ₦31.07 billion fraud involving conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and intent to defraud.
The development follows Mamman’s conviction on May 7, 2026, by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering amounting to ₦33.8 billion.
At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the former minister was absent without explanation and noted that no reason had also been provided for his absence during the proceedings that led to his conviction last week.
Responding, Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, argued that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant in court following the bench warrant earlier issued against him by the Federal High Court.
Oyedepo, however, disagreed, insisting that the prosecution was not responsible for accounting 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,” Oyedepo told the court.
He further 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 requested that the matter proceed 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.
The judge further ruled that the trial would continue in Mamman’s absence in line with the provisions of the ACJA.
The matter was adjourned until May 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.
