BREAKING: Ex-Power Minister Mamman sentenced to 75 years imprisonment over ₦33.8bn fraud
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over a ₦33.8 billion money laundering scheme linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding the former minister guilty on a 12-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency had accused Mamman of conspiring with ministry officials and private firms to divert funds meant for the execution of the power projects during his tenure as minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2021.
The court held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to Mamman’s conviction on all counts.
Mamman had earlier been absent during proceedings leading to his conviction, prompting another court of coordinate jurisdiction to revoke his bail and issue a warrant for his arrest.
On Monday, Justice Maryann Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court revoked the ex-minister’s bail after he failed to appear in court in a separate ₦31 billion fraud case involving seven other defendants.
During the proceedings, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that no explanation had been provided for Mamman’s absence, urging the court to revoke his bail and issue a bench warrant against him.
