A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment after convicting him on charges linked to a ₦33.8 billion money laundering scheme involving public funds.
The judgment followed a trial initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accused the former minister of conspiracy, unlawful conversion of funds, and money laundering tied to major electricity infrastructure projects during his time in office.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the sentence on Wednesday, May 13, after previously finding Mamman guilty on all 12 counts filed against him by the anti-graft agency. The former minister had served in the administration between 2019 and 2021.
According to the court, Mamman received seven years imprisonment on 10 of the counts, three years on one count, and two years on another count. The sentences are to run consecutively, bringing the total prison term to 75 years.
The court ruled that the sentence would be served without an option of fine on most counts. However, count four carried an alternative fine of ₦10 million.
Justice Omotosho also ordered the forfeiture of several assets connected to the former minister. The assets include foreign currencies recovered during the investigation and four properties located in Abuja that were linked to him.
The EFCC alleged that Mamman and others diverted and laundered funds connected to the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects. Prosecutors told the court that the funds were part of allocations meant for power infrastructure development across the country.
Court filings presented during the trial stated that the total amount involved in the case was ₦33,804,830,503.73. The anti-corruption agency accused the former minister of illegally moving and converting public funds through proxies and associated companies.
The commission also accused him of conducting cash transactions outside the formal banking system in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. One of the transactions highlighted during the proceedings involved an alleged cash payment of $655,700.
Mamman was arraigned before the court on July 11, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him. The trial later progressed with the prosecution presenting witnesses and financial records to support the allegations.
The proceedings experienced several delays during the course of the trial. Some of the interruptions were linked to the defendant’s absence from court as well as health-related issues that affected hearing schedules.
Justice Omotosho had initially delivered the conviction judgment on May 7 but postponed sentencing because Mamman was not physically present in court at the time. The court subsequently fixed May 13 for sentencing.
During the trial, the EFCC maintained that the former minister abused his office by authorising and facilitating unlawful transactions connected to federal power projects. Prosecutors argued that the actions violated anti-money laundering laws and led to the diversion of public resources intended for national development.
The conviction represents one of the most significant corruption-related judgments involving a former cabinet member in recent years. The case also adds to ongoing efforts by anti-corruption agencies to prosecute former public officials accused of financial crimes while in office.
The Mambilla and Zungeru power projects referenced in the case are among Nigeria’s major electricity initiatives aimed at improving power generation capacity. Authorities have repeatedly expressed concerns about corruption and mismanagement affecting the completion and funding of key infrastructure projects in the country.
With the sentencing now concluded, the former minister is expected to begin serving his prison term unless further legal action is taken through the appellate courts.
