A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has issued a fresh warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, following his absence from proceedings in an ongoing ₦31 billion fraud trial.
The trial judge, Maryann Anenih, granted the application on Monday after the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, requested that the trial proceed in the defendant’s absence.
“Application granted to proceed without the first defendant and application for bench warrant granted,” the judge ruled, before adjourning the matter until Thursday.
The latest development marks the second arrest warrant issued against Mamman within days. On May 7, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had ordered his arrest after he failed to appear for judgment in a separate money laundering case involving the alleged diversion of ₦33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Mamman was convicted on 12 counts in that case, with sentencing scheduled for May 13.
Counsel to the former minister, Femi Atteh, told the court he was unaware of his client’s whereabouts, noting that the prosecution had earlier described Mamman as “the state’s property” following the previous arrest order.
During Monday’s proceedings, Oyedepo confirmed that the initial arrest warrant had yet to be executed, stating that the defendant had absconded without justification and remained in hiding.
In the ongoing FCT High Court case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Mamman and seven others with nine counts bordering on conspiracy, false pretence, and intent to defraud. The charges relate to the alleged diversion of ₦31 billion linked to the Mambilla Power Project.
The co-defendants, who were present in court, had earlier pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in October 2025.
During the trial, EFCC witnesses tendered bank documents connected to several companies allegedly used to move the funds, including Spinhills Biz International Limited, Silverline Ocean Ventures Limited, and Beaver Builders Limited, among others.
Mamman served as Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2021. He recently declared interest in the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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