The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Saleh Mamman, the former Minister of Power under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, to 75 years in prison. The landmark judgment followed his conviction on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering involving the theft of public funds totaling approximately ₦33.8 billion.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, found Mamman guilty on all charges brought forward by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The sentence breakdown includes seven years each for 10 counts, alongside three years and two years for the remaining two counts.
Crucially, the court ruled that the prison terms must run consecutively, meaning the years add up rather than overlapping. Furthermore, the judge allowed no option of a fine, except for a ₦10 million penalty specifically tied to count four of the charge.
Beyond the prison term, the court ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from the former minister. Justice Omotosho also directed that four high-end properties in Abuja, which were successfully traced back to Mamman, be forfeited to the federal government.
The judgment noted that Mamman had siphoned massive sums of money meant for critical infrastructure, specifically the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects. Evidence showed that Bureau de Change (BDC) operators were used to convert the stolen funds into foreign currency before delivering them to him.
One specific transaction highlighted by the court involved a cash payment of $655,700 for landed property in Abuja. This transaction was conducted outside of any financial institution, a direct violation of money laundering laws.
Justice Omotosho criticized the former minister’s defense as “scanty and almost absent,” stating that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. He lamented that Mamman chose personal enrichment over fixing Nigeria’s “epileptic power supply.”
The judge expressed disappointment that a public official in such a high position failed to leave a lasting legacy. He remarked that while Mamman was “living large,” ordinary Nigerians remained in darkness due to the mismanagement of the power sector.
Interestingly, Mamman was convicted and sentenced in absentia, as he failed to appear in court. His legal representative, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that he was unaware of his client’s current whereabouts and could not reach him by phone.
In response to his disappearance, Justice Omotosho has ordered security agencies and Interpol to track down and arrest the convict. The 75-year sentence is mandated to begin running from the day he is eventually taken into custody.
