Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman Jailed 75 Years Over ₦33.8bn Fraud

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over a ₦33.8 billion fraud linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding the former minister guilty on all 12 counts of conspiracy and money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court ruled that Mamman diverted funds earmarked for critical power infrastructure projects during his tenure as minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Prosecutors said the fraud involved about ₦33.8 billion meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Projects.

Justice Omotosho sentenced the former minister to seven years imprisonment on 10 counts, while counts four and five attracted three years and two years respectively. The judge ordered the sentences to run consecutively, bringing the total jail term to 75 years. The court, however, allowed an option of a ₦10 million fine on one of the counts.

The trial judge also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies and four Abuja properties traced to the convict. In addition, the court directed that all recovered assets and funds linked to the fraud be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Mamman was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court. Justice Omotosho subsequently directed security agencies to arrest him wherever he may be found, ruling that the prison term would commence from the date of his arrest.

The EFCC had arraigned the former minister in July 2024 on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering. During the trial, the anti-graft agency presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits to establish its case against the former minister.

Before sentencing, the court had earlier dismissed Mamman’s no-case submission and held that the EFCC successfully proved its allegations beyond reasonable doubt.