N31bn Fraud: Court Revokes Ex-Power Minister, Saleh Mamman's Bail, Orders His Arrest

Our Reporter 

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has revoked the bail granted to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, and issued a warrant for his arrest following his absence in court over an ongoing N31 billion fraud trial.

Justice Maryann Anineh gave the order on Monday after Mamman failed to appear before the court for the continuation of proceedings in a case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to the EFCC, Mamman has remained out of circulation since May 7, 2026, when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, convicted him on all 12 counts bordering on money laundering involving N33.8 billion.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Mamman alongside seven others on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and intent to defraud to the tune of N31,070,541,349.64.

At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the first defendant was absent without explanation, adding that no reason had also been provided for his absence during the May 7 proceedings in which he was convicted by the Federal High Court.

Responding, Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, argued that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant following the earlier conviction and the bench warrant already issued against him by Justice Omotosho.

However, Oyedepo maintained that the prosecution was not responsible for informing the court about the whereabouts of the defendant, stressing that Mamman had deliberately absconded from trial.

He urged the court to revoke the defendant’s bail, issue a bench warrant for his arrest and summon his surety at the next adjourned date.

“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 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,” Oyedepo said.

The prosecution further prayed the court to continue hearing the matter in Mamman’s absence pursuant to Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

In her ruling, Justice Anineh granted the prosecution’s applications, revoked Mamman’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The judge also ruled that the trial would continue in the defendant’s absence in line with the provisions of Section 352 of the ACJA 2015.

The matter was adjourned until May 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.