A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment after finding him guilty of fraud and money laundering involving N33.8 billion.
Mamman was convicted on all 12 charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, sentenced the former minister to seven years imprisonment on 10 counts, while he received three years and two years on counts four and five respectively.
The court ruled that the sentences would run consecutively without the option of a fine, except for count four, which carries an option of a N10 million fine.
Justice Omotosho also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from the convict, as well as four high-value properties in Abuja linked to him.
The EFCC had arraigned Mamman in July 2024 on allegations bordering on money laundering and conspiracy involving officials of the Ministry of Power and some private companies. The anti-graft agency accused him of diverting funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Mamman 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.
On May 7, the court convicted Mamman in absentia, with Justice Omotosho ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest after his counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that he did not know the whereabouts of his client and that attempts to reach him by phone were unsuccessful.
Following the sentencing, the judge directed security agencies to collaborate with Interpol to ensure Mamman’s arrest.
The court further ruled that the prison term would begin from the date of his arrest.
