A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over fraud and money laundering involving ₦33.8 billion.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding the former minister guilty on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Mamman was absent from court during sentencing, prompting the judge to earlier issue a warrant for his arrest. His counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that efforts to reach the former minister had failed and his whereabouts remained unknown.
Following the conviction, the court directed the EFCC and other security agencies to collaborate with Interpol to track and arrest him. Justice Omotosho ruled that the prison sentence would begin from the date of his arrest.
The court sentenced Mamman to seven years imprisonment each on 10 counts, while counts four and five attracted three years and two years respectively. The sentences are to run consecutively, bringing the total jail term to 75 years. However, the court provided an option of a ₦10 million fine on count four only.
Justice Omotosho also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered during investigations and four Abuja properties linked to the former minister.
The conviction stemmed from allegations that Mamman diverted public funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the court, part of the diverted funds was routed through bureau de change operators and converted into foreign currencies before being delivered to the defendant.
The judge further held that Mamman paid $655,700 cash for a property in Abuja without using any financial institution, contrary to financial regulations.
Justice Omotosho said the prosecution established its case with overwhelming evidence, while the defence failed to effectively challenge the allegations.
“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 judge stated.
