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₦31bn Fraud Trial: Court Issues Fresh Bench Warrant Against Ex-Minister

Published

3 months ago

May 11, 2026

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman

₦31bn Fraud Trial: Court Issues Fresh Bench Warrant Against Ex-Minister

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has issued a fresh warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, after he failed to appear for proceedings in a separate ₦31 billion fraud case involving him and six co-defendants.

Justice Maryann Anenih gave the order on Monday following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, who urged the court to continue proceedings despite the absence of the former minister.

Ruling on the application, the judge said: “Application granted to proceed without the first defendant and application for bench warrant granted,” before adjourning the matter until Thursday for continuation of trial proceedings.

The latest development marks the second arrest warrant issued against Mamman within days. Earlier on May 7, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted the former minister on 12 counts bordering on money laundering and fraud involving about ₦33.8 billion linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects. (The Sun Nigeria)

Justice Omotosho subsequently issued the first arrest warrant after Mamman failed to appear in court for the judgment proceedings. The court fixed May 13 for sentencing. (The Northern Star)

At Monday’s sitting before the FCT High Court, Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh (SAN), informed the court that he did not know the whereabouts of his client. He recalled that the prosecution had earlier described the former minister as “the state’s property” following the previous arrest order issued by the Federal High Court.

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Responding, Oyedepo confirmed that the earlier arrest warrant had not yet been executed, insisting that the defendant deliberately absconded from trial.

“The defendant without reasonable justification absconded from trial,” the prosecutor told the court, adding that Mamman “is still in hiding.”

In the ongoing FCT High Court case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Mamman and seven others of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and intent to defraud to the tune of ₦31 billion.

The charges are also linked to alleged diversion of funds tied to the controversial Mambilla Power Project, one of Nigeria’s largest hydroelectric projects aimed at boosting electricity generation nationwide.

The co-defendants, who were present in court on Monday, had earlier pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned in October 2025.

During the trial, EFCC prosecutors tendered several financial documents and account statements allegedly linked to companies used to move and conceal the funds under investigation.

Some of the companies mentioned during proceedings include Spinhills Biz International Limited, Silverline Ocean Ventures Limited, Beaver Builders Limited, Gurupche Business Enterprise, Breathable Investment Limited, First-Class Construction Project Limited, Royal Perimeter Ventures, Dannywest Limited, Dorino Bright Limited, and Sipikin Global Ventures Limited.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the funds were moved through multiple corporate accounts and Bureau de Change operators in a complex money laundering arrangement connected to power sector contracts.

Mamman served as Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2021 before leaving office during a cabinet reshuffle.

Despite his ongoing legal troubles, the former minister recently declared interest in contesting the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The multiple corruption cases involving Mamman are among several high-profile anti-graft prosecutions currently being pursued by the EFCC against former public officials accused of diverting public funds meant for major national infrastructure projects.

₦31bn Fraud Trial: Court Issues Fresh Bench Warrant Against Ex-Minister

Related Topics:bench warrant ex-minister fraud trial

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Asylum Seeker Who Posed as Teenager on Snapchat Jailed for Raping 13-Year-Old Girl

Published

4 hours ago

August 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Asylum Seeker Who Posed as Teenager on Snapchat Jailed for Raping 13-Year-Old Girl

An asylum seeker who masqueraded as a teenager on social media before grooming and raping a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced to nine and a half years in prison. Abdul Khan, believed to be 28, arrived in the UK hidden in the back of a lorry in 2015 and faces automatic deportation to Afghanistan after serving two thirds of his sentence, Nottingham Crown Court heard. Khan, currently residing at HMP Nottingham, is already serving a 23-month sentence for sexual communication with another child in the Derbyshire area. Last week, jurors found him guilty of two counts of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child, sexual communication with a child, meeting a child following grooming, and perverting the course of justice.

The four-day trial heard how Khan communicated with his victim on Snapchat, pretending to be a 14-year-old boy, before meeting her at a nature reserve in the Clifton area of Nottingham. When the victim met Khan in person, it became apparent to her that he was older than 14, and he attempted to placate her by claiming to be 16, the court heard. After an initial encounter which jurors determined had been consensual, Khan raped the girl twice in May 2025. The court also heard that Khan had given at least four different dates of birth to various agencies, with the year he was born ranging from 1998 to 2009. He was prosecuted as being 28 years old.

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His victim was present in court on Monday, August 10, as prosecutor Dawn Pritchard read a personal statement from the victim to Judge Mark Watson, stating that the complainant “feels numb when she thinks back to how she felt at the time.” Summarising the statement, Miss Pritchard added: “She felt scared of the world after it happened and felt overwhelmed. When she has flashbacks she sees his face and what happened. She feels like she can’t trust anyone.” The victim also revealed she no longer wishes to wear her school uniform—which she was wearing during the abuse—and has suffered flashbacks and felt like self-harming. A victim impact statement indicated that the attack had left her unable to trust people.

Defence barrister Andrew Wesley stated that he was unable to provide any personal mitigation on behalf of Khan as he continues to dispute the identity and age under which he was prosecuted. Khan had been communicating through a Pashto interpreter throughout the proceedings. In sentencing, Judge Watson told Khan: “You deliberately concealed your true identity. She (the 13-year-old) thought she was communicating with a child of her own age. It was a lie you have persisted with throughout these proceedings.”

The judge, describing the defendant’s claims about his age and identity as “nonsensical” and doomed to fail, added: “The police were called by her father, after learning from her that she had been raped. She has on any view been profoundly affected, as her parents must also have been. Your sentence will mean automatic deportation.” Khan, who shielded his face with his hands as he left the dock, was also ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely. Detective Constable Madeleine Johnson of Nottinghamshire Police described Khan as an “opportunistic and predatory offender” who poses “a clear risk to teenage girls and other young women.” She added: “As his previous grooming conviction demonstrates, he was absolutely determined in his ambition to strike up sexual relationships with young girls… It is thanks to her bravery and the compelling evidence she was able to give that this man is now off our streets for good.”

Asylum Seeker Who Posed as Teenager on Snapchat Jailed for Raping 13-Year-Old Girl

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‘Don’t Let My Sick Daughter Die in Nigeria’ — Nigerian US Army Woman Begs Trump

Published

4 hours ago

August 11, 2026

Trends Admin

‘Don’t Let My Sick Daughter Die in Nigeria’ — Nigerian US Army Woman Begs Trump

A Nigerian-born woman serving in the United States Army has made an emotional public appeal to President Donald Trump, pleading for a humanitarian exception to visa restrictions so her critically ill 10-year-old daughter can join her in the US for urgent medical treatment. The soldier, identified as Uzoamaka (also spelled Uzamaka), broke down in tears in a TikTok video posted on Sunday, saying she has been separated from her daughter for about 10 years and fears she may lose the child before they can reunite. She said her daughter completed all required immigration processes but cannot travel because of current visa restrictions.

Uzoamaka, who said she is an American citizen and has taken an oath to serve the United States, described her appeal as a mother’s desperate fight to save her child’s life. “Please do not scroll. I’m at the verge of losing my daughter. They said social media is powerful, and this is my last resort,” she said in the video. She added: “I’m not just speaking as a soldier; I’m speaking as a mother whose heart is gradually breaking. I have been separated from my daughter for the past 10 years, and she remains in Nigeria.” According to the soldier, her daughter became critically ill while the family waited for the immigration process to be completed, and she is concerned that quality healthcare is difficult to access in Nigeria. “How can I be in a country that has quality healthcare and let my daughter die?” she asked.

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Uzoamaka said she has sought assistance through official channels, including her military commanders and US Senator Amy Klobuchar, who she said tried to intervene but was informed that the visa process was proceeding as planned. “Senator Amy Klobuchar, she tried her best. And they told her that everything is going as planned. But your visa process and policies are keeping my children from reuniting with me,” she said. She also said she contacted major American media organisations, including Fox News and CNN, to draw attention to her daughter’s situation but had not received a response. She has now turned to social media, urging users to share her video and tag the president.

Acknowledging the importance of US immigration laws and national security, Uzoamaka appealed for a humanitarian exception. “My plea now is not about politics but a humanitarian one, a compassionate one that you should review carefully and consider. I’m simply asking that there should be an exception for me and for people that fall into this category,” she said. She maintained that she possesses medical records documenting her daughter’s condition and insisted her appeal was solely to save her child’s life. She argued that her children do not pose a security threat: “My kids are barely minors that can’t pose a threat and are not coming here to be criminals.” Uzoamaka also said she cannot return to Nigeria because of security concerns and the US government’s security advisory regarding the country. She pleaded: “Dear Mr President, please help me reunite with my daughter. I never thought a day would come that I would be facing the camera and pleading.”

‘Don’t Let My Sick Daughter Die in Nigeria’ — Nigerian US Army Woman Begs Trump

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How Enugu Abduction Led to Recovery of 4 AK-47 Rifles, 133 Ammunition – Army

Published

5 hours ago

August 11, 2026

Trends Admin

How Enugu Abduction Led to Recovery of 4 AK-47 Rifles, 133 Ammunition – Army

An investigation into the August 2 abduction of two persons in Enugu State has led the Nigerian Army to a suspected kidnapping commander and a weapons cache containing four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition. The operation was carried out by troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). The Army said the suspected commander was arrested in the Gariki General Area of the state while allegedly attempting to flee Enugu. The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, confirmed the development, stating that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the South-East. Troops, working with other security agencies, would continue to pursue criminals and deny them access to weapons and hideouts, he added.

The suspect’s arrest followed investigations into the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on August 2. The Army said troops had earlier killed one member of the syndicate and arrested another suspect during an operation. Information obtained from the arrested suspect reportedly led security operatives to the fleeing commander and helped them locate the gang’s hidden weapons. Acting on the intelligence, the troops launched a manhunt for the suspect and eventually intercepted him as he attempted to escape from the state. The Army said preliminary investigations linked the suspect to several kidnapping operations in parts of the South-East and North-Central regions. Items recovered from him included $1,000, N785,900 and other incriminating items.

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Following further interrogation, the troops reportedly moved to the Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where the gang was said to have hidden its weapons. A search of the forest led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines, and 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The Army said the suspect remained in custody and was being interrogated to provide information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the syndicate and their alleged collaborators. It described the operation as another demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led joint operations in disrupting organised criminal networks and denying them access to weapons and safe havens. Lt. Col. Ayeni said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the South-East. He also urged members of the public to continue providing security agencies with useful information to assist ongoing operations in the region.