A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering involving ₦33.8 billion in public funds.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment Thursday in suit FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found to have illegally diverted money meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects. The court also held him guilty of criminal breach of trust and making a $655,700 cash payment — about ₦200 million — for Abuja landed property without passing through a financial institution.
-Funds traced through BDC operators-
According to the court, most of the funds were siphoned through Bureau de Change operators who converted the money into foreign currency 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,” Justice Omotosho said. “The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
The judge criticized Mamman for failing to leave a lasting legacy in the power sector while in office.
“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,” he added.
-Sentence deferred as defendant is absent-
Mamman was not present in court when the judgment was delivered. His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court he had been unreachable since Tuesday and that his personal assistant reported he was ill.
The defence’s request to postpone the judgment was rejected. Justice Omotosho cited media reports showing Mamman had recently been involved in political activities, including purchasing a form to contest the Taraba State governorship election.
EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to proceed, arguing there was no valid reason for the defendant’s absence. The court deferred sentencing and granted the EFCC’s application for an arrest warrant.
Mamman was arrested in 2021, four months after being removed from office by Buhari. The EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits during the trial. The agency alleged he conspired with ministry staff to divert about ₦22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla projects, with investigations revealing the funds were used to acquire assets both locally and abroad.
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