Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, over a ₦33.8 billion fraud and money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, the court ruled that the EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the former minister, who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
The court found Mamman guilty on a 12-count charge linked to the diversion of public funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
Justice Omotosho held that the former minister illegally paid $655,700 in cash — equivalent to about ₦200 million — for a property in Abuja without using any financial institution, contrary to financial regulations.
According to the court, large portions of the diverted funds were routed through Bureau de Change operators, who allegedly converted the money into foreign currencies before handing it over to the defendant.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge ruled.
The judge also criticised Mamman’s performance while in office, saying he failed to leave any meaningful impact on Nigeria’s electricity 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,” Justice Omotosho stated.
Mamman was absent from court during the judgment.
His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that the former minister’s whereabouts had been unknown since the judgment date was fixed, adding that a personal assistant later claimed Mamman was ill.
The court, however, rejected efforts to delay the ruling and granted the EFCC’s request for a warrant of arrest.
EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to proceed with the judgment, insisting there was no valid reason for the defendant’s absence.
Mamman was arrested in 2021, months after he was removed from office by the Buhari administration.
During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits as evidence.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the former minister conspired with ministry officials to divert about ₦22 billion allocated for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects, with part of the funds allegedly used to acquire luxury assets within and outside Nigeria.
The court adjourned sentencing until May 12, 2026.
