Court Issues Fresh Arrest Warrant for Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman

An Abuja High Court on Monday issued a fresh warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, after he failed to appear before the court for the continuation of his trial.

The latest order marks the second arrest warrant issued against the former minister within one week.

The development comes days after a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Mamman in absentia in a separate 12-count amended money laundering case involving N33 billion filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

What they are saying

Justice Maryann Anenih granted the application for Mamman’s arrest after the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, requested that the trial continue despite the former minister’s absence.

The EFCC is prosecuting Mamman alongside seven other defendants over allegations bordering on conspiracy, false pretence, and intent to defraud involving N3 billion.

• “Application granted to proceed without the first defendant and application for bench warrant granted,” Justice Anenih ruled.

The co-defendants include Mustapha Abubakar Bida, Joseph Omotayo Adewunmi, Ben Nsikak, Stephen Ojo, Oladipo Adebowale, Michael Achua, and Ogunjobi Olusila.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Anenih on October 16, 2025. All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The prosecution insisted that Mamman’s absence should not delay proceedings, especially as a previous arrest warrant issued by another court had yet to be executed.

Get up to speed

This is the second criminal case involving the former Minister of Power, who was recently convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja in a separate N33 billion money laundering trial.

Justice James Omotosho had earlier ordered Mamman’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for judgment delivery.

• Mamman was convicted in absentia last week Thursday.
• The former minister is yet to be sentenced in the N33 billion case. His co-defendants were present in court during Monday’s proceedings.
• The EFCC has maintained that the former minister remains in hiding.

The repeated absence of the former minister has continued to draw attention as the anti-graft agency intensifies efforts to prosecute the cases against him.

More insights 

During Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court that the earlier warrant issued by the Federal High Court had not yet been executed.

Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Atteh, SAN, however, argued that the prosecution had a responsibility to produce his client before the court.

• “I do not know where he is. The DPPF told us at the Federal High Court that our client is now the state’s property following the order of his arrest by the court last week,” Atteh said.

Oyedepo responded that Mamman had absconded from trial without justification.

• “The warrant issued by the Federal High Court is yet to be executed as the defendant is still in hiding,” Oyedepo added.

Atteh rejected claims that the defence team was concealing the former minister.

Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the matter until Thursday for continuation of the trial.

What you should know 

Last week, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court convicted Saleh Mamman in a separate money laundering case involving N33 billion.

• The former minister had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges before the court proceeded to a full trial.
• Justice Omotosho said the judgment would be determined by whether Mamman’s right to fair hearing was breached.
• The court also considered whether the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Mamman was absent when the judgment was delivered. Sentencing in the case has been adjourned to a later date.

The EFCC has continued to pursue high-profile corruption and money laundering cases involving former public officials as part of its anti-corruption mandate.