The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting the former minister on all counts in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found guilty of illegally diverting about ₦33.8 billion in public funds linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
The court also found that he made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a property in Abuja without using a financial institution, contrary to financial regulations.
Justice Omotosho ruled that funds meant for critical power projects were diverted through Bureau de Change operators, who allegedly converted the money into foreign currencies before handing it over to the defendant.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming,” the judge said, adding that the defence failed to provide credible evidence to counter the EFCC’s case.
The judge further criticised Mamman for failing to leave a meaningful legacy in the power sector despite his position as minister.
“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,” the court held.
Mamman was absent during the delivery of the judgment. His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that the former minister’s whereabouts were unknown and that his aide later informed him he was ill.
However, the court rejected an application to postpone the judgment, noting reports that Mamman had recently participated in political activities, including purchasing a governorship nomination form in Taraba State.
Following the conviction, the EFCC applied for a warrant of arrest against the former minister, while the court deferred sentencing pending his appearance.
The EFCC had arrested Mamman in 2021, months after his removal from office, and presented 17 witnesses and 43 exhibits during the trial to support allegations that billions of naira earmarked for hydroelectric projects were diverted and used to acquire luxury assets within and outside Nigeria.
