A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, after he failed to appear in court for his ongoing corruption trial.
Justice Maryann Anineh on Monday revoked Mamman’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his immediate arrest, citing his repeated absence from court proceedings without any valid explanation.
The former minister is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside seven others on nine counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and the alleged diversion of about ₦31 billion.
During the session, the prosecution told the court that Mamman was absent without justification from either him or his legal team, insisting that his repeated failure to attend hearings was affecting the trial process.
EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, argued that the defendant had no reasonable excuse for missing court appearances, including sessions linked to earlier proceedings in the case.
However, defence counsel Femi Atteh countered that it was not his duty to explain Mamman’s whereabouts, especially after another court had already issued a bench warrant.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Anineh ruled in favour of the prosecution, revoked Mamman’s bail, and ordered his arrest.
“The bail of the defendant is hereby revoked, and a bench warrant is issued for his arrest,” the judge ruled.
The court also directed that the trial will continue in Mamman’s absence under provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
The case has been adjourned to May 14 for further hearing.
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