Tunde Bakare
Justice Maryann Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, on Monday, May 11, 2026 revoked the bail, granted the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman and issued a warrant for his arrest following his absence in court to face his criminal prosecution.
Saleh has remained out of circulation and without traces since he was found guilty and convicted on May 7, 2026 on all the 12-count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33.8billion 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 Maryann Anineh 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 (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 has not given any reason for his absence even as no reason was given for his absence during his conviction in Justice Omotosho’s court on May 7.
Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, in his response, stated that it was rather the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant following his conviction by Justice Omotosho and the bench warrant he issued against him.
In his objection, the prosecution counsel stated that it was not his responsibility to tell the court of the whereabouts of Mamman, since he was not the one representing him. He rather prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for Mamman’s arrest for absenteeism in court without justification and a revocation of 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 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 issues a bench warrant against him and to also summon the surety on the next adjourned date,” he said.
Oyedepo also urged the court to continue hearing on the trial in the absence of Mamman, citing Section 352, Subsection 4 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA 2015.
Justice Anineh, in her ruling, granted the requests of the prosecution. She revoked Mamman’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his appearance in court at the next adjourned date.
She also held that the trial will continue in Mamman’s absence in accordance with Section 352 of ACJA 2015.
The matter was adjourned till May 14, 2026 for the continuation of trial.