JUST IN: Ex-Minister Mamman Missing as Court Delivers Judgment in ₦33.8bn Fraud Case

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, was absent at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday as judgment commenced in the alleged N33.8 billion money laundering case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The judgment, being delivered by Justice James Omotosho, followed months of legal arguments between the prosecution and the defence over allegations linked to funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

When the matter was called, Mamman was nowhere to be found inside the courtroom, raising concerns among lawyers and court officials.

His counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that the defence team had received notice that judgment would be delivered on Thursday, but all efforts made to contact the former minister failed.

According to him, one of Mamman’s associates later informed the legal team that the former minister was ill.

“My Lord, the defendant is not in court. We received a message that the matter is for judgment and it was delivered on Tuesday,” the lawyer said.

“And since then, we have been trying to reach him but all efforts made have not been successful.”

Ahmed admitted before the court that no medical report was provided to support claims that the former minister was indisposed.

Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, argued that the defence had adequate notice of the proceeding and failed to provide convincing reasons for Mamman’s absence.

Oyedepo maintained that the court had the power under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to continue with the judgment despite the defendant’s absence, especially as he had been on bail throughout the trial.

He, however, suggested that the court could briefly stand down the matter to allow the defence make further attempts to locate the former minister.

The defence lawyer insisted that all attempts to contact Mamman had failed. He urged the court to grant an adjournment, stressing that the former minister had attended proceedings consistently since the trial began about two years ago.

“My Lord, the defendant has never missed court for the past two years,” Ahmed told the judge.

But the prosecution opposed the request, insisting there was no certainty about when Mamman would appear before the court again.

In a dramatic turn, Ahmed later informed the court that the judge could proceed with the judgment even in the defendant’s absence.

“My lord can proceed to give judgment and if it is in his favour, bye bye to the court but if convicted, my lord can proceed with sentence on another date,” he said.

Justice Omotosho faulted the defence for failing to provide documentary evidence to support claims of illness.

The judge also warned lawyers against actions capable of bringing the judiciary into disrepute, noting that hearing notices had already been properly served on all parties.

“The defendant is not here and there is no medical report to back this,” the judge said.

“We are all ministers in the temple of justice counsel.”

Following arguments from both sides, the court resolved to continue with the judgment.

As of the time this report was filed, Justice Omotosho was still reading the judgment.

Mamman is facing a 12-count amended charge bordering on alleged money laundering and conspiracy. The EFCC accused him of conspiring with ministry officials and private firms to divert about N33.8 billion earmarked for critical power projects under the Ministry of Power.

The former minister was arraigned in July 2024 and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Recall that Mamman recently declared interest in the 2027 governorship race in Taraba State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.