Court Sentences Former Power minister, Mamman Saleh To 75 Years imprisonment Over ₦33.8bn Fraud As Convict Whereabouts Unknown

 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over a ₦33.8 billion money laundering and fraud case prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Justice James Omotosho convicted Mamman on all 12 counts filed against him by the EFCC, ruling that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The former minister was sentenced to seven years imprisonment each on 10 counts, while he received three years and two years respectively on counts four and five. The court ordered that the sentences run consecutively without the option of a fine, except for count four where a ₦10 million fine option was granted.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from the convict as well as four luxury properties in Abuja linked to him.

Mamman was first arraigned in July 2024 on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering involving funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case.

Justice Omotosho had earlier convicted Mamman in absentia on May 7 and subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Mamman’s counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court he had no knowledge of the former minister’s whereabouts, adding that all attempts to reach him through his phone lines were unsuccessful.

Following the sentencing, the court directed all security agencies to work with Interpol to ensure the ex-minister is arrested.

The judge further ruled that the prison term would commence from the day Mamman is eventually apprehended.