THE Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, following his absence from court during proceedings in Abuja.
News Point Nigeria reports that presiding judge, Justice Maryann Anineh, on Monday also revoked the bail earlier granted to the former minister.
Mamman is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside seven others on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and intent to defraud to the tune of N31 billion.
The former minister is also facing separate charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mamman served as Minister of Power under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari from August 21, 2019, to September 1, 2021.
The development comes days after Mamman was convicted on May 7 by the Federal High Court in Abuja on all 12 counts filed against him by the EFCC.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, held that the anti-graft agency had successfully established the ex-minister’s culpability beyond reasonable doubt.
The court, however, deferred sentencing until May 13.
Mamman was absent when the conviction was delivered, prompting the court to issue an arrest warrant against him.
Earlier, in July 2024, the EFCC had arraigned the former minister on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and conspiracy with ministry officials and some private companies to “indirectly convert” N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
During Monday’s proceedings before the FCT High Court, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, informed the court that Mamman was absent and that his legal team failed to provide any reason for his absence.
Oyedepo further told the court that no explanation had also been provided for the former minister’s absence during his conviction proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Responding, Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, argued that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant after the Federal High Court issued a bench warrant against him.
However, Oyedepo rejected the submission, insisting that it was not his duty to account for Mamman’s whereabouts since he did not represent the defendant.
The EFCC lawyer subsequently urged the court to revoke Mamman’s bail and issue a fresh bench warrant against him.
“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,” Oyedepo was quoted as saying in a statement released by the anti-graft agency.
“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.”
Oyedepo also urged the court to continue the trial in Mamman’s absence, citing Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
In her ruling, Justice Anineh revoked Mamman’s bail and issued a bench warrant compelling his appearance in court on the next adjourned date.
The judge further ruled that the trial would continue in the absence of the defendant in line with Section 352 of the ACJA 2015.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until May 14 for continuation of trial.