Justice Maryann Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, on Monday, May 11, 2026, revoked the bail granted to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, and issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his absence in court to face his criminal prosecution.
Mamman has remained out of circulation and untraceable since he was found guilty and convicted on May 7, 2026, on all 12 counts bordering on money laundering involving ₦33.8 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 Anineh on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and intent to defraud to the tune of ₦31,070,541,349.64 (Thirty-one Billion, Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Forty-one Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-nine Naira, Sixty-four Kobo).
At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that it was both noticeable and obvious that Mamman, the first defendant, was absent in court and that his counsel had not given any reason for his absence. He added that no reason was also given for his absence during his conviction before Justice Omotosho on May 7.
Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, in response, stated that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant following his conviction by Justice Omotosho and the bench warrant issued against him.
In his objection, the prosecution counsel stated that it was not his responsibility to inform the court of Mamman’s whereabouts since he was not representing him. He therefore urged the court to issue a bench warrant for Mamman’s arrest for absenteeism without justification and revoke 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 himself 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 issue a bench warrant against him and also summon the surety on the next adjourned date,” he said.
Oyedepo also urged the court to continue hearing the trial in Mamman’s absence, citing Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Justice Anineh, in her ruling, granted the prosecution’s requests. She revoked Mamman’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his appearance in court on the next adjourned date.
She also held that the trial would continue in Mamman’s absence in accordance with Section 352 of the ACJA, 2015.
The matter was adjourned until May 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
May 11, 2026
