A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment after convicting him on corruption and money laundering charges involving N33.8 billion linked to major power projects.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment after finding Mamman guilty on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former minister received seven-year prison terms on 10 of the counts, while counts four and five attracted separate sentences of three years and two years respectively.
The court ordered that the sentences run consecutively, effectively amounting to 75 years behind bars. However, Justice Omotosho allowed the option of a N10 million fine on count four alone.
In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from the convict as well as four high-value properties in Abuja traced to him during investigations.
Mamman was first arraigned by the EFCC in July 2024 on allegations of conspiracy and money laundering involving funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
According to the anti-graft agency, the former minister and several ministry officials allegedly collaborated with private companies to divert and indirectly convert N33.8 billion earmarked for the projects.
Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits during the trial to support its case.
Justice Omotosho had earlier convicted Mamman in absentia on May 7 after concluding that the prosecution successfully proved the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
The court also issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for proceedings. During Wednesday’s hearing, Mamman’s lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that he was unable to reach his client and did not know his whereabouts.
Following the sentencing, the judge directed Nigerian security agencies to collaborate with Interpol to track down and arrest the former minister wherever he may be found.
The court further ruled that the prison sentence would begin counting from the day Mamman is eventually arrested.
The conviction marks one of the most significant corruption judgments involving a former cabinet member in recent years and is expected to intensify scrutiny around the management of public funds in Nigeria’s power sector.
