The Federal High Court in Abuja has found former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, guilty of fraud and money laundering involving billions of naira in public funds.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, May 7, Justice James Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Mamman on all 12 counts filed against him.
The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024, stemmed from the alleged diversion of about ₦33.8 billion during his time in office under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the court, Mamman was involved in illegal cash transactions, including a payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a property in Abuja without using any financial institution.
He was also found guilty of breaching public trust in connection with funds allocated to major power projects, including the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plants.
The court noted that much of the money was routed through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the funds into foreign currencies before handing them to the defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho said: “The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant.
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“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
He further criticised Mamman’s conduct while in office, saying: “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.”
Mamman was not present in court when the judgment was delivered.
As a result, sentencing was deferred, while the EFCC requested a warrant for his arrest.
Counsel to the defendant, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that Mamman’s whereabouts had been unknown since the notice of judgment was issued earlier in the week, adding that his personal assistant later claimed he was ill.
The court, however, rejected requests to delay the ruling, noting reports that Mamman had recently been active in political activities, including obtaining a governorship nomination form in Taraba State.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to proceed, stating: “My Lord should go ahead. 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 arrested in 2021, months after his removal from office.
During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits, alleging that he conspired with ministry officials to divert about ₦22 billion meant for key hydroelectric projects and used the funds to acquire assets locally and abroad.