By Miraj Guo
ABUJA, NIGERIA — A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison after finding him guilty of orchestrating a ₦33.8 billion money laundering scheme linked to key national power projects.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment, ruling that the prison terms will run consecutively, effectively making the sentence cumulative across multiple counts. Mamman, aged 68, was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court.
The court heard that Mamman had gone into hiding and was “out of circulation,” with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informing the court that even his legal team was unaware of his whereabouts at the time of judgment.
Under the ruling, Mamman received seven years for each of 10 counts, three years for one count, and two years for another, adding up to a total of 75 years.
Justice Omotosho also issued a bench warrant for his arrest, directing security agencies and Interpol to locate, apprehend, and extradite the former minister. The court stated that his sentence will begin only upon his arrest and physical incarceration.
Mamman, who served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was accused of diverting funds meant for critical energy infrastructure projects, including the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Plants.
According to court findings, the funds were allegedly siphoned through a network of private companies and Bureau de Change operators, who converted public money into foreign currency before channeling it back to the accused.
The EFCC further revealed that part of the illicit funds—about $655,700—was used in cash transactions to acquire luxury property in Abuja, bypassing financial institutions.
The court ordered the forfeiture of four high-end properties linked to Mamman, along with all recovered foreign currencies. He was also directed to refund ₦22 billion to the federal government as restitution for losses incurred.
The conviction has drawn significant public attention in Nigeria, where persistent power shortages and infrastructure challenges remain a major national concern.
Mamman becomes the first cabinet minister from the Buhari administration to be jailed over corruption charges, marking a major milestone in ongoing anti-graft prosecutions.
Interestingly, just weeks before disappearing from public view, Mamman had reportedly expressed interest in contesting the Taraba State governorship in the 2027 elections under the ruling party.
