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.
About the author
Semi Ajayi set for Championship playoff final at Wembley
Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi is set to grace the iconic Wembley Stadium after helping Hull City book their place in the EFL Championship playoff final. The experienced centre-back featured for 90 minutes as Hull defeated Millwall 2–0 away in the second leg of their semi-final tie, sealing a 2–0 aggregate victory following a goalless first leg. Ajayi delivered a commanding performance at the back, marshalling Hull’s defence to a crucial clean sheet at The Den and keeping Millwall’s attack at bay. His display has been hailed as a defensive masterclass, with many branding him the “Wall of Wembley” ahead of the showpiece final on May 23. The achievement caps a remarkable turnaround for the 32-year-old, who spent three months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury picked up while representing Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Since […]
Real Madrid joins race for sensational Zadok Yohanna
Spanish giants Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race to sign highly rated Nigerian youngster Zadok Yohanna following his breakout season with Swedish club AIK. The Bauchi-born winger has been in dazzling form since moving to Europe in 2025, attracting interest from several top clubs across the continent. Reports from Scandinavia and Nigeria indicate that Real Madrid have opened talks with AIK and Yohanna’s representatives over a potential summer transfer. A source close to the deal told SCORENigeria that the Spanish champions are now one of the clubs “ready to sign Zadok” and are discussing what it would take to prize him away from Sweden. Yohanna only joined AIK from Ikon Allah FC in Kaduna in June 2025, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract running until December 2029. However, his rapid rise and performances on the wings have reportedly prompted AIK to […]
Trump heads to China, says no need for Xi’s help on Iran war
US President Donald Trump has travelled to China for a crucial summit with President Xi Jinping, declaring that he does not expect to need Beijing’s help to end the ongoing war with Iran. Speaking to reporters before departing Washington, Trump downplayed China’s potential role in resolving the conflict, which has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise,” he said, in comments that underscored his determination to project confidence despite mounting costs and diplomatic pressure. The war has seen both the US and Iran impede maritime traffic in a waterway that normally carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Trump’s remarks contrast with expectations from some analysts and allies, who had hoped China might use its economic ties with […]
Nvidia CEO joins Trump’s mission to ‘open up’ China
Huang’s presence has fuelled speculation that Nvidia could secure breakthroughs on long-delayed approvals for its H200 artificial intelligence chips, which have faced export restrictions and regulatory hurdles in China. An Nvidia spokesperson said the CEO is attending the Trump–Xi summit at the president’s invitation “to support America and the administration’s goals.” The Nvidia boss is travelling alongside other heavyweight CEOs, including Tesla’s Elon Musk and Apple’s Tim Cook, as Washington and Beijing prepare for talks that will touch on trade, AI, semiconductors and the aftermath of the Iran war. Analysts say the participation of such tech and industrial leaders underlines how central advanced chips and supply chains have become to US–China relations. Trump has framed the mission as an effort to “open up” China further to US goods and investment, while Chinese officials hope the visit will ease export controls […]
Dangote exports 1.66bn litres fuel amid US–Iran tensions
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has exported an estimated 1.66 billion litres of refined fuel products in April 2026 as global energy markets reel from the impact of the US–Iran war. The record export volume came as buyers in Africa, Europe and other regions scrambled for alternative supplies amid fears of disruptions to traditional shipping routes in the Middle East. Industry reports show that the refinery, Africa’s largest with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has ramped up shipments of diesel, petrol and jet fuel in recent months. The April figure alone represents a sharp jump compared to earlier months, with exports of aviation fuel rising to an average of about 160,000 barrels per day at the height of the crisis. Analysts say the surge in exports underscores Dangote’s growing role as a stabilising force in regional fuel supply, helping […]
U.S.-based Nigerian pleads guilty in $927,000 email fraud scheme
A U.S.-based Nigerian has pleaded guilty for his role in a sprawling business email compromise scheme that defrauded victims of about $927,000 as part of a wider $215 million global fraud network. The case is one of dozens tied to an international email hacking ring that targeted businesses and individuals in 19 countries, including the United States. According to court documents, the Nigerian defendant admitted to conspiring with others to hijack business email accounts, alter payment instructions and divert funds into accounts they controlled. Prosecutors said the group used phishing, spoofed domains and fake invoices to trick companies and clients into sending money to the wrong accounts. U.S. authorities revealed that the wider scheme involved more than 1,000 identified victims and was coordinated by cells operating from Nigeria, Ghana and within the United States. In total, 25 defendants have been […]
Related
Dangote exports 1.66bn litres fuel amid US–Iran tensions
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has exported an estimated 1.66 billion litres of refined fuel products in April 2026 as global energy markets reel from the impact of the US–Iran war. The record export volume came as buyers in Africa, Europe and other regions scrambled for alternative supplies amid fears of disruptions to traditional shipping routes in the Middle East. Industry reports show that the refinery, Africa’s largest with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has ramped up shipments of diesel, petrol and jet fuel in recent months. The April figure alone represents a sharp jump compared to earlier months, with exports of aviation fuel rising to an average of about 160,000 barrels per day at the height of the crisis. Analysts say the surge in exports underscores Dangote’s growing role as a stabilising force in regional fuel supply, helping […]
U.S.-based Nigerian pleads guilty in $927,000 email fraud scheme
A U.S.-based Nigerian has pleaded guilty for his role in a sprawling business email compromise scheme that defrauded victims of about $927,000 as part of a wider $215 million global fraud network. The case is one of dozens tied to an international email hacking ring that targeted businesses and individuals in 19 countries, including the United States. According to court documents, the Nigerian defendant admitted to conspiring with others to hijack business email accounts, alter payment instructions and divert funds into accounts they controlled. Prosecutors said the group used phishing, spoofed domains and fake invoices to trick companies and clients into sending money to the wrong accounts. U.S. authorities revealed that the wider scheme involved more than 1,000 identified victims and was coordinated by cells operating from Nigeria, Ghana and within the United States. In total, 25 defendants have been […]
2027: British govt has no preferred candidate, says envoy
The British government has declared that it has no preferred candidate or political party ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Gill Lever, made this known during a courtesy visit to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in Ilorin. Lever stressed that the United Kingdom’s interest is in seeing a peaceful, free and credible electoral process, not in backing any particular contender. She explained that the UK would continue to work with whoever Nigerians elect, in line with its long-standing policy of respecting the country’s sovereignty and the will of its citizens. According to her, the British High Commission is closely monitoring Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 polls and will support initiatives that strengthen democratic institutions, voter education and electoral security. She added that London’s focus is on supporting inclusive governance, human rights and economic development, […]
2027: British govt has no preferred candidate, says envoy
The British government has declared that it has no preferred candidate or political party ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Gill Lever, made this known during a courtesy visit to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in Ilorin. Lever stressed that the United Kingdom’s interest is in seeing a peaceful, free and credible electoral process, not in backing any particular contender. She explained that the UK would continue to work with whoever Nigerians elect, in line with its long-standing policy of respecting the country’s sovereignty and the will of its citizens. According to her, the British High Commission is closely monitoring Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 polls and will support initiatives that strengthen democratic institutions, voter education and electoral security. She added that London’s focus is on supporting inclusive governance, human rights and economic development, […]
Navy busts illegal refinery sites in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy says it has uncovered and dismantled several reactivated illegal refining sites in Rivers State as part of its ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in the Ndoni and surrounding riverine areas of the state. According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the troops discovered a network of dugout pits, ovens and surface reservoirs used to store products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and stolen crude. He said the illegal facilities had been reactivated after earlier enforcement actions, prompting the latest raid to permanently disrupt the syndicate’s activities. Folorunsho explained that the operatives successfully deactivated the makeshift refineries and confiscated an estimated 184,000 […]
States’ capital spending plunges 58% as 2027 politics intensifies
Capital expenditure by 26 state governments across Nigeria plunged by about ₦2.19tn within just three months in the first quarter of 2026, as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify. An analysis of their quarterly financial reports shows that total capital spending fell by 58.1%, from ₦3.79tn in Q4 2025 to ₦1.59tn in Q1 2026. The figures, drawn from budget implementation and performance reports published on state government websites, indicate a broad slowdown in infrastructure and development projects. By contrast, a breakdown of expenditure between January and June 2025 had shown 31 states collectively spending about ₦2.75tn on capital projects over six months, averaging ₦1.38tn. Almost all of the 26 states recorded sharp declines. Enugu posted one of the most dramatic drops, with capital outlays crashing by 91.4% from ₦365.69bn in Q4 2025 to just ₦31.37bn in Q1 2026. […]
Be the first to leave a comment