A federal high court in Abuja has convicted Saleh Mamman, Nigeria’s former Minister of Power, on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering, following a prosecution brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice James Omotosho, delivering judgment on Thursday, ruled that the prosecution had established its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt, finding him guilty on all 12 counts in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
Mamman, who held the power ministry portfolio under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found to have unlawfully diverted approximately ₦33.8 billion in public funds. The court also established that he paid $655,700 — roughly ₦200 million in cash for an Abuja property, bypassing the financial system entirely.
He was additionally convicted of criminal breach of trust involving funds set aside by the federal government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects. The court heard that a significant portion of the diverted funds was channelled through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currencies before handing it to the defendant.
Justice Omotosho was unsparing in his assessment of the evidence. “The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” he stated, adding that Mamman failed to offer any credible rebuttal to the prosecution’s case.
The judge also delivered a pointed rebuke over Mamman’s failure to make meaningful impact in the power sector during his tenure. “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 that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” Justice Omotosho said.
Mamman was not present in court when the verdict was delivered. His defence counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that his client’s whereabouts had been unknown since Tuesday — the day he was notified of the judgment date — with his personal assistant later claiming he was unwell. Attempts to adjourn proceedings were dismissed.
The court subsequently postponed sentencing, while the EFCC applied for an arrest warrant to be issued against the convicted former minister. Justice Omotosho noted media reports suggesting Mamman had recently been active in political circles, including reportedly purchasing a governorship nomination form in Taraba State.
EFCC lead counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to proceed regardless of the defendant’s absence, telling the judge: “If the judgment is in his favour, we know what to do. If it is against him, we also know what to do.”
Mamman was first arrested in 2021, approximately four months after his removal from office. Over the course of the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits. The commission alleged that Mamman conspired with ministry officials to siphon around ₦22 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects, with investigators tracing the stolen funds to high-value assets acquired both within Nigeria and abroad.
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