Court Convicts Former Power Minister Saleh Mamman Over N33.8bn Fraud

A federal high court sitting in Abuja has found former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, guilty of money laundering.

The ruling was delivered by Justice James Omotosho, who convicted Saleh Mamman on all 12 charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge stated that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and established that the former minister was responsible for the offences.

Mamman served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from August 2019 until September 2021, when he was removed during a cabinet reshuffle.

In July 2024, the EFCC filed a 12-count charge against him, accusing him of money laundering and conspiracy involving ministry officials and private companies.

The allegations centred on the alleged diversion of about N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

Saleh Mamman had pleaded not guilty to the charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and submitted 43 pieces of evidence before closing its case.

In the judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that Mamman was guilty of criminal breach of trust linked to funds allocated for the power projects.

The court also found that he made a cash payment of $655,700 (about N200 million) for a property in Abuja without using any formal banking channel.

It further noted that large portions of the funds were allegedly moved through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currency before handing it over.

Justice Omotosho described the prosecution’s evidence as strong, while noting that the defence failed to provide credible counterarguments.

He criticised the conduct of the defendant, saying public funds meant for improving electricity supply were misused instead of being applied to national development.

The judge also expressed disappointment that Nigerians continue to suffer poor electricity supply despite the huge resources allocated to the sector.

He said, “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.

“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.”

At the time of judgment, Saleh Mamman was not present in court.

Following his absence, the court issued a warrant for his arrest and postponed sentencing until May 13.

Earlier, his lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that his client’s whereabouts were unknown and suggested he might be ill, according to information from his personal assistant.

However, the court rejected the request to delay the judgment, noting reports that Mamman had recently been involved in political activities.

EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to proceed, arguing that no valid reason had been provided for the defendant’s absence and that justice should take its course regardless.

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

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