Breaking: Court Directs Security Agencies To Arrest Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman Again

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has issued a fresh bench warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, after he failed to appear in court for an ongoing ₦31 billion fraud trial involving him and six co-defendants.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Presiding judge, Justice Maryann Anenih, granted the order on Monday following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, who requested that the trial proceed in Mamman’s absence.

The judge ruled that the proceedings could continue without the first defendant and approved the request for a bench warrant, before adjourning the case to Thursday.

This marks the second arrest warrant issued against Mamman within a few days. On May 7, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja also ordered his arrest after he failed to appear for judgment in a separate money laundering case involving alleged diversion of ₦33.8 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

In that earlier case, Mamman was convicted on 12 counts, with sentencing scheduled for May 13.

His counsel, Femi Atteh, informed the court that he had no knowledge of the former minister’s whereabouts, while the prosecution described Mamman as having gone into hiding.

The prosecution also confirmed that the earlier arrest warrant issued by the Federal High Court had not yet been executed.

“The defendant, without reasonable justification, absconded from trial and is still in hiding,” the prosecutor stated.

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 connected to the Mambilla Power Project.

All co-defendants present in court pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in October 2025.

During proceedings, EFCC witnesses tendered bank records linked to several companies allegedly used in the movement of the funds, including Spinhills Biz International Limited, Silverline Ocean Ventures Limited, Beaver Builders Limited, and others.

Saleh Mamman served as Minister of Power from 2019 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari and has recently declared interest in the 2027 governorship race in Taraba State under the All Progressives Congress (APC).