On May 7, 2026, a Federal High Court in Abuja was set to deliver its judgment in the N33.8 billion money laundering case against former Power Minister Saleh Mamman—but the defendant was nowhere to be found.

Mamman was absent from court due to what his legal team described as an illness, though no medical certificate or evidence was presented to back the claim. His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that they had been unable to reach their client.

The prosecution, led by EFCC’s Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the judge to go ahead and deliver the judgment regardless of Mamman’s absence.

Presiding judge Justice James Omotosho expressed concern over the lack of proof supporting the excuse, but allowed the court to proceed with the ruling.

The case centres on allegations of conspiracy and misappropriation of funds linked to hydroelectric power projects. Mamman has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been attending court regularly until this incident.