A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has revoked the bail of former Power Minister Saleh Mamman and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for his ongoing trial.
Justice Maryann Anineh issued the order on Monday in a case where Mamman is charged alongside seven others with conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and intent to defraud amounting to N31.07 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the defendants on a nine-count charge.
Mamman has not been seen in court since May 7, 2026, when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama convicted him on all 12 counts in a separate N33.8 billion money laundering case.
At Monday’s hearing, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, said Mamman’s absence was unjustified and that neither he nor his lawyer had provided an explanation. Oyedepo noted that no reason was given for his absence during the proceedings that led to his conviction before Justice Omotosho.
His counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, argued that it was the prosecution’s responsibility to produce the defendant following his conviction and an earlier bench warrant.
Oyedepo rejected that, saying the prosecution could not account for a defendant it was prosecuting.
“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,” he said.
He asked the court to revoke Mamman’s bail, issue a fresh bench warrant, and summon his surety at the next adjourned date. The prosecution also requested that the trial continue in Mamman’s absence under Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Justice Anineh granted both applications, revoked the bail, and ordered the bench warrant. She ruled that the trial would proceed in Mamman’s absence in line with the ACJA.
The case was adjourned to May 14, 2026, for continuation.
