Court Sentences Former Buhari Minister to 75 Years in Prison

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over fraud and money laundering involving ₦33.8 billion.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the sentence on Wednesday after convicting Mamman on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former minister was absent from court during sentencing, prompting the court to earlier issue a warrant for his arrest. His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court he had been unable to contact his client and did not know his whereabouts.

Following the ruling, the court directed the EFCC and other security agencies to work with Interpol to apprehend the former minister. Justice Omotosho ruled that the prison term will begin from the date of his arrest.

Mamman received seven years imprisonment each on 10 counts, while counts four and five attracted three years and two years respectively. The sentences are to run consecutively, bringing the total to 75 years. The court allowed an option of ₦10 million fine only on count four.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered during investigations and four properties in Abuja linked to the former minister.

The conviction followed findings that Mamman diverted public funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the court, part of the funds was routed through bureau de change operators and converted into foreign currencies before being handed to the defendant. The court also found that Mamman paid $655,700 in cash for a property in Abuja without using any financial institution.

Justice Omotosho said the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence, while the defence failed to challenge the case effectively.

“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.