A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has found former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, guilty of laundering billions of naira linked to public funds meant for major electricity projects.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission successfully proved the allegations against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
The court convicted Mamman on all 12 counts filed against him, including charges connected to the diversion of funds allocated to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
According to the judge, evidence before the court showed that more than ₦22 billion was illegally diverted through proxies and affiliated companies linked to the former minister and his associates.
Justice Omotosho criticised Mamman’s conduct while in office, stating that funds meant to improve Nigeria’s electricity sector were allegedly converted for personal benefit instead of addressing the country’s long standing power crisis.
The judge said the former minister and others involved prioritised personal enrichment over national development, adding that the court found substantial evidence tying Mamman to the movement of the funds.
He also praised the anti-graft agency for what he described as a thorough investigation and a well presented case during the trial.
The sentencing phase of the case was postponed until May 13 after Mamman failed to appear in court for Thursday’s proceedings.
His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court he had been unable to reach his client and later received information that the former minister was unwell.
However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), challenged the explanation, arguing that no medical evidence was presented before the court to justify Mamman’s absence.
Following the disagreement, the court ordered security agencies to locate and arrest the former minister ahead of the sentencing date.
Justice Omotosho also referenced reports suggesting Mamman had recently been active in political activities connected to the Taraba State governorship race.
Mamman was initially arrested in 2021, months after he was removed from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses and several documents as evidence to support claims that billions meant for power infrastructure projects were diverted into private hands and allegedly used to acquire assets within and outside Nigeria.
