By Danjuma Amodu
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment after convicting him on a 12-count charge of fraud and money laundering involving funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment in Mamman’s absence, ruling that the sentences on each count would run consecutively. The court handed down seven years each on 10 counts, three years on one count with an option of a ₦10 million fine, and two years on another count without the option of a fine.
The judge ordered that the jail term would commence from the day Mamman is arrested. He also directed all security agencies, including Interpol, to arrest the former minister wherever he may be found.
₦33.8BN FRAUD LINKED TO KEY POWER PROJECTS
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused Mamman of conspiring with ministry officials and private firms to divert billions of naira allocated for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power schemes.
Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mamman stole public funds totalling about ₦33.8 billion. The court found that over ₦22 billion meant for the two strategic electricity projects was siphoned through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currency and handed it to the defendant.
The court also found Mamman guilty of criminal breach of trust and of making a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to ₦200 million, for landed property in Abuja without passing through a financial institution, in violation of money laundering laws.
ASSET FORFEITURE AND REFUND ORDER
In addition to the prison term, Justice Omotosho ordered the final forfeiture of foreign currencies and four properties in Abuja traced to the former minister. The court further directed Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the alleged ₦22 billion diverted from the Mambilla and Zungeru projects to the Federal Government.
The ruling relied on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which allows proceedings and sentencing to continue despite a defendant’s absence. EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, argued that Mamman’s continued evasion should not obstruct the judicial process.
TRIAL HISTORY AND CONVICTION
Mamman was arraigned on July 11, 2024, on a 12-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits.
After the prosecution closed its case, Mamman filed a no-case submission in November 2025, arguing that the EFCC had failed to establish sufficient evidence. The court rejected the application and proceeded with the trial.
The former minister was convicted in absentia on May 7, 2025. Sentencing was deferred until Wednesday, when the court handed down the 75-year term.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR NIGERIA’S POWER SECTOR AND ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT
The Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric projects are central to Nigeria’s efforts to address chronic electricity shortages and expand national power generation. The court noted that the diversion of funds had undermined those efforts.
Mamman served as Minister of Power from 2019 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is also facing a separate case at the FCT High Court, Maitama, over the alleged diversion of ₦31 billion meant for the Mambilla project.
The EFCC described the judgment as a significant milestone in its asset recovery campaign involving politically exposed persons. Investigators said additional assets linked to the scheme may still be under tracing both locally and internationally.
Mamman remains at large as of press time.
