Court convicts ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman over N33.8bn fraud

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday convicted Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power, on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Mamman on all counts in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found guilty of illegally diverting about N33.8 billion in public funds.

The court also held that he made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about N200 million, for a property in Abuja without using a financial institution, contrary to anti-money laundering laws.

Omotosho further found the former minister culpable in the criminal breach of trust involving funds allocated for the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.

According to the court, a substantial portion of the funds was diverted through bureau de change operators who 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 said.

“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”

Omotosho criticised Mamman’s stewardship as power minister, saying he failed to leave behind any meaningful legacy in Nigeria’s struggling 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,” the judge said.

“Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today.”

Mamman was absent in court when the judgment was delivered, prompting the court to defer sentencing while the EFCC applied for a warrant of arrest.

His counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that the defendant’s whereabouts had been unknown since Tuesday when notice of the judgment date was issued, adding that his personal assistant later claimed he was ill.

The court rejected efforts by the defence to postpone the judgment, with the judge referencing reports that Mamman had recently been involved in political activities, including purchasing a governorship nomination form in Taraba State.

Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to proceed, arguing there was no valid reason for the defendant’s absence.

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, alleging that the former minister conspired with ministry officials to divert about N22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydropower projects.

The anti-graft agency said investigations showed the diverted funds were used to acquire high-value assets within and outside Nigeria.