Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, finding Mamman guilty of illegally diverting public funds amounting to about N33.8 billion during his tenure under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The court also found the former minister guilty of making a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about N200 million, for the purchase of a landed property in Abuja without using a financial institution, contrary to financial regulations.
Justice Omotosho further held that Mamman breached public trust in the handling of funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
According to the court, large sums were allegedly channelled through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the funds into foreign currencies and delivered them to the defendant.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge ruled, adding that Mamman failed to provide credible evidence to counter the allegations.
The judge also criticised the former minister’s stewardship of the power sector, lamenting that he failed to leave behind any meaningful legacy in addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
“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 Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” Justice Omotosho said.
Mamman was absent from court when the judgment was delivered. The court subsequently deferred sentencing and granted the EFCC’s request for a warrant of arrest against him.
Counsel to the defendant, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that Mamman’s whereabouts had remained unknown since notice of the judgment date was issued last Tuesday, adding that the former minister was reportedly ill.
However, the court declined the defence’s application for adjournment, citing media reports that Mamman had recently participated in political activities, including the purchase of a governorship nomination form ahead of the Taraba State governorship election.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to proceed with the judgment, insisting there was no valid reason for the defendant’s absence.
“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.
Mamman was arrested in 2021, months after his removal from office by Buhari. During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits in support of its case.
The anti-graft agency accused the former minister and some ministry officials of conspiring to divert about N22 billion earmarked 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 fixed May 13, 2026, for sentencing.
