A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on charges of fraud and money laundering involving about N33.8 billion. Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Mamman, who served as power minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was prosecuted on a 12 count charge bordering on conspiracy and laundering of funds earmarked for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects. The EFCC alleged that he conspired with some ministry officials to divert billions of naira from accounts linked to the projects.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho held that evidence from 17 prosecution witnesses and 43 documentary exhibits showed that large sums were diverted and laundered through various companies and individuals connected to the former minister. The court found that Mamman personally benefited from the diverted funds, including cash payments of about 655,700 dollars (roughly N200 million) for properties in Abuja and the acquisition of other luxury assets.
The judge described the EFCC’s evidence as “overwhelming” and noted that Mamman failed to provide a credible explanation for the funds traced to him. A previous attempt by the ex minister to halt the trial via a no case submission had been dismissed in 2025, with the court ordering him to open his defence.
Following the conviction, Justice Omotosho fixed May 13, 2026, for sentencing, directing that Mamman remain in EFCC custody pending the next hearing. The court is expected to consider the scale of the fraud, the impact on critical power projects and the amounts already recovered in deciding his sentence.
The EFCC first arrested Mamman in 2023 over what was then estimated as a N22 billion diversion linked to the same projects. Further investigations expanded the alleged amount to about N33.8 billion and uncovered multiple properties in Nigeria and abroad believed to have been bought with the proceeds.
The conviction has been hailed by anti corruption advocates as a significant step in holding former public officials accountable for large scale financial crimes, especially in strategic sectors like power. However, they have urged the government to ensure full recovery of stolen assets and accelerate completion of the affected electricity projects.
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