A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over the misappropriation of public funds amounting to about ₦33.8 billion.
Newsonspot reports that Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment after finding the former minister guilty on all 12 counts of fraud and money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the court, Mamman received seven years imprisonment each on 10 counts, while he was sentenced to three years and two years respectively on counts four and five. Justice Omotosho ordered that the sentences run consecutively, with no option of fine except on count four, where the convict was given an option of ₦10 million fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of several foreign currencies recovered from the former minister, alongside four high-value properties in Abuja linked to him.
Justice Omotosho stated that the prosecution successfully proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, stressing that the evidence presented by the EFCC overwhelmingly established Mamman’s involvement in the fraud.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge ruled.
The court found that the former minister made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a property in Abuja without passing through any financial institution, contrary to financial regulations.
Mamman was also found guilty of criminal breach of trust involving funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Projects. The court noted that much of the money was allegedly diverted through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the funds into foreign currencies and delivered them to the defendant.
Justice Omotosho further criticised the former minister for failing to improve Nigeria’s power sector despite holding such a sensitive office.
“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,” the judge stated.
The former minister, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was absent during both his conviction and sentencing. The court subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest and directed security agencies to work with Interpol to ensure his capture.
His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that he could not reach his client, adding that attempts to contact him through his phone lines were unsuccessful.
Interestingly, before the conviction, Mamman had purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the governorship election in Taraba State.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the prison sentence would commence from the day of the convict’s arrest.
