ABUJA, Nigeria: The Federal High Court in Abuja convicted former Nigerian Minister of Power Saleh Mamman on a 12-count fraud and money laundering charge on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Okay News reports that Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission established Mamman diverted ₦33.8 billion ($110.8 million) in public funds.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024, finding Mamman guilty of criminal breach of trust regarding funds released by the federal government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects. The agency alleged he conspired with ministry staff to divert ₦22 billion ($72.1 million) designated for the projects. The court determined Mamman made a cash payment of $655,700 (equivalent to ₦200 million) for property in Abuja without utilizing a financial institution.
Omotosho stated that the funds were siphoned through Bureau de Change operators who converted the money into foreign currencies. “The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” Omotosho said. “The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” Omotosho said. “Rather than creating a legacy to tackle the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary citizens,” Omotosho said. “Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” Omotosho said.
Mamman, who served under former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, was absent during the conviction. Defense lawyer Mohammed Ahmed told the court Mamman’s whereabouts were unknown since Tuesday and that a personal assistant claimed the former minister was sick. EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo requested the court proceed. “My Lord should go ahead. If the judgment is in his favour, we know what to do. If it is against him, we also know what to do,” Oyedepo said.
The EFCC presented 17 witnesses and 43 exhibits during the trial following Mamman’s arrest in 2021. The court deferred the sentence, and the EFCC applied for an arrest warrant against Mamman.
