A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison after finding him guilty of diverting about ₦33.8 billion in public funds. Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Wednesday, convicting Mamman on all 12 counts of money laundering and fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court held that the EFCC proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mamman diverted funds earmarked for key national power projects, including the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power schemes. Investigators told the court that large sums were moved through contractors and cronies before being traced to the former minister’s personal accounts and assets.
Justice Omotosho noted that Mamman personally benefited from the fraud, including the cash payment of 655,700 dollars (about ₦200 million) for a property in Abuja, in violation of cash transaction limits under Nigerian law. The court also cited evidence of luxury assets and investments acquired within and outside Nigeria with proceeds of the alleged crime.
In reaching the verdict, the judge described the prosecution’s evidence as “overwhelming”, pointing out that Mamman failed to present any credible defence against the detailed financial trail tendered in court. The EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered over 40 documentary exhibits, including bank records, contract papers and statements, to nail the former minister.
Although the cumulative sentence adds up to 75 years, the court ordered that the jail terms on the various counts run concurrently, meaning Mamman will spend a shorter actual period behind bars as prescribed by law. The judge further ordered the forfeiture of identified properties and funds linked to the fraud, to be returned to the federal government.
Mamman served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 under the administration of then President Muhammadu Buhari before he was sacked amid allegations of poor performance and questions over project funding. His conviction and sentencing have been hailed by anti-corruption advocates as a major statement on accountability in the management of Nigeria’s power sector funds.
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