Saleh Mamman gets 75 years for ₦33.8 billion fraud

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison after finding him guilty of laundering ₦33.8 billion linked to major government-funded power projects.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Wednesday, convicting Mamman on all 12 counts brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to prosecutors, the former minister diverted and laundered funds through private companies, with the money allegedly originating from unlawful activities tied to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant.

Mamman, who served as minister in 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari, was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court.

The court ordered Nigerian and international security agencies to arrest him and hand him over to correctional authorities to begin serving the sentence.

The ₦33.8 billion involved in the case is equivalent to approximately $24.7 million at the prevailing exchange rate.

The conviction is one of the most significant anti-corruption rulings in recent years and comes as Nigeria continues efforts to tackle high-profile financial crimes involving public officials.

The EFCC said the case centred on funds earmarked for critical electricity infrastructure projects intended to improve power supply in Africa’s most populous country, where electricity shortages remain a persistent challenge.

Reuters reported that the judgment marks a rare instance in which a former senior government official received a lengthy prison sentence for corruption-related offences.

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