Court sentences ex-minister Mamman to 75 years over N33.8bn fraud

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over the diversion of public funds amounting to about ₦33.8 billion.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment after finding Mamman guilty on all 12 counts of fraud and money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on 10 of the counts, while counts four and five attracted three years and two years jail terms respectively.

Justice Omotosho ruled that the sentences would run consecutively, with no option of fine except for count four, where the convict was given the option of paying ₦10 million.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of several foreign currencies recovered from Mamman, alongside four high-value properties in Abuja linked to him.

It would be recalled that the former minister was earlier convicted in absentia on May 7.

According to the judge, the EFCC successfully proved its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

Mamman served under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The court found that he paid $655,700 in cash, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a property in Abuja without using any financial institution.

He was also convicted for criminal breach of trust involving funds allocated for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.

Justice Omotosho noted that much of the money was allegedly moved through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the funds into foreign currencies and delivered them to the defendant.

“The prosecution presented overwhelming evidence, while the defence offered little or no credible response,” the judge held.

The court further criticised Mamman for failing to use his office to improve Nigeria’s power sector.

Rather than leaving a positive legacy in tackling electricity challenges, the judge said the former minister enriched himself at the expense of Nigerians.

The convict was absent both during his conviction and sentencing, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that he could not determine his client’s whereabouts, adding that attempts to reach him by phone were unsuccessful.

Following the judgment, Justice Omotosho directed security agencies to work with Interpol to ensure Mamman’s arrest.

The court also ruled that his jail term would begin from the date he is apprehended.