Court Jails Former Power Minister Saleh Mamman For 75 Years Over N33.8bn Fraud
By Sabiu Abdullahi
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over a N33.8 billion fraud case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 12-count charge against the former minister over allegations of money laundering and conspiracy linked to funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Justice James Omotosho found Mamman guilty on all the charges brought against him by the anti-graft agency.
The court sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on 10 counts. He also received three years imprisonment on one count and two years on another.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the prison terms would run consecutively. The judge also stated that the convict would not have the option of a fine except on count four, where he could pay N10 million.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from the former minister as well as four properties in Abuja linked to him.
The EFCC had arraigned Mamman in July 2024 on allegations that he conspired with some ministry officials and private firms to “indirectly convert” N33.8 billion meant for the execution of the power projects.
The former minister pleaded not guilty to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before the court.
On May 7, the court convicted Mamman in absentia after Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Following the conviction, the court issued a warrant for his arrest.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Mohammed Ahmed, counsel to the convict, informed the court that he did not know Mamman’s whereabouts. He added that attempts to reach him through his telephone lines were unsuccessful.
After delivering the judgment, Justice Omotosho directed security agencies to work with Interpol to ensure the arrest of the former minister.
The court also ruled that the prison sentence would begin from the day of his arrest.