ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison following his conviction for money laundering and fraud totaling ₦33.8 billion.
Okay News reports that Justice James Omotosho delivered the landmark judgment on Wednesday, convicting Mamman on all 12 counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The sentence includes seven years for each of 10 counts, with additional terms of three years and two years for the remaining charges. The judge ruled that the sentences are to run consecutively, and notably, without the option of a fine for most counts.
The former minister was found guilty of conspiring with ministry officials and private companies to “indirectly convert” funds meant for the critical Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered the forfeiture of several foreign currencies recovered from Mamman and the seizure of four “choice properties” in Abuja traced to the proceeds of the fraud.
Mamman, who was convicted in absentia on May 7 after failing to appear in court, remains at large. His current lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that he was unaware of his client’s whereabouts and had been unable to reach him by phone. Consequently, Justice Omotosho has ordered all national security agencies to collaborate with Interpol to track down and arrest the convict, noting that the sentence will officially begin the day he is taken into custody.
The case, which involved testimony from 17 witnesses and 43 exhibits, concluded with the court expressing satisfaction that the anti-graft agency established Mamman’s culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. This sentencing represents one of the most significant legal actions against a high-ranking official in the current administration’s drive to address corruption in the power sector.
