Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, is now at the center of legal trouble after an FCT High Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his sudden absence from court.
The development came on Monday after Mamman failed to appear before Justice Maryann Anineh during proceedings linked to an alleged N31 billion fraud case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Consequently, the court revoked the bail earlier granted to the former minister and ordered security agencies to ensure his appearance at the next hearing.
Moreover, the ruling followed another major setback for the former minister after he was recently convicted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on separate corruption charges.
According to the EFCC, Mamman and seven others are facing a nine-count charge involving conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and alleged intent to defraud the government of over N31 billion.
During Monday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court that neither Mamman nor his legal team provided any explanation for his absence.
Oyedepo also reminded the court that the former minister had earlier failed to appear during his conviction proceedings at the Federal High Court.
Responding, Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Atteh, argued that it was the prosecution’s responsibility to produce the defendant since another court had already issued a bench warrant against him.
However, Oyedepo strongly rejected the claim.
“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 said.
“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.”
Furthermore, the EFCC lawyer urged the court to revoke Mamman’s bail and continue the trial in his absence under Section 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Justice Anineh agreed with the application. Therefore, she revoked the former minister’s bail and ordered that the trial should continue despite his absence.
Meanwhile, the former minister’s legal troubles continue to deepen. On May 7, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court convicted Mamman on all 12 counts brought against him by the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency accused him of laundering N33.8 billion linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects during his time in office under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the court, the EFCC successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
In addition, the case has been adjourned until May 14 for continuation of trial.
