JUST-IN: Days After Picking APC Nomination Forms, Court Convicts Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman Over ₦33.8bn Fraud

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Delivering judgement, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution successfully proved its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.

The court convicted Mamman on all counts in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found guilty of illegally diverting public funds amounting to about ₦33.8 billion.

The court specifically held that the former minister made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a landed property in Abuja without using any financial institution, contrary to the law.

Justice Omotosho also found him guilty of criminal breach of trust involving funds released by the Federal Government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.

According to the court, a substantial part of the funds was diverted through Bureau de Change (BDC) operators who converted the money into foreign currencies and handed it over to the defendant.

“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant.

“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” the judge held.

Justice Omotosho further criticised the former minister for failing to leave behind any meaningful legacy in the power sector.

“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.

“Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” the judge added.

The defendant, however, was absent in court at the time the judgement was delivered.

Consequently, the court deferred sentencing, while the EFCC applied for a warrant of arrest against him.

Counsel to the defendant, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that Mamman’s whereabouts had remained unknown since Tuesday when notice of the judgement date was issued.

Ahmed said the former minister’s personal assistant later informed him that his client was ill.

Efforts by the defence counsel to persuade the court to postpone the judgement were unsuccessful.

The trial judge referenced media reports indicating that the defendant had recently been involved in political activities, including purchasing a governorship nomination form in Taraba State.

Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to proceed with the judgement, insisting there was no valid reason for the defendant’s absence.

“My Lord should go ahead. If the judgement is in his favour, we know what to do. If it is against him, we also know what to do,” Oyedepo stated.

Mamman was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office by the then President Buhari.

During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits in support of its case.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Mamman conspired with ministry officials to divert about ₦22 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects.

According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that the diverted funds were used to acquire luxury assets both within and outside Nigeria.

The sentencing of the former minister has been fixed for May 13, 2026.