The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison after convicting him on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering involving about ₦33.8 billion in public funds.
Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment, handed down the sentence after finding Mamman guilty of all charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in suit FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
The court ruled that the prison terms—seven years each on 10 counts, three years on one count, and two years on another—will run consecutively, effectively amounting to 75 years. However, the judge allowed a ₦10 million fine on count four in lieu of imprisonment.
Justice Omotosho also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from the former minister, as well as four properties in Abuja traced to him.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was convicted in absentia on May 7 and was also absent during sentencing. The court has issued a warrant for his arrest and directed security agencies to work with Interpol to apprehend him.
The judge held that the EFCC had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that Mamman was guilty of criminal breach of trust involving funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
He also found that the former minister made large cash payments, including $655,700 for property in Abuja, without passing through financial institutions, describing the conduct as unlawful.
According to the court, much of the stolen funds were channelled through Bureau de Change operators who converted the money into foreign currency.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” Justice Omotosho said.
He further criticised the former minister for failing to contribute meaningfully to the power sector, stating that public resources were misused instead of being applied to improve electricity supply.
The court ordered that the sentence will commence from the day Mamman is arrested.
