A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on all 12 counts of fraud and money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), relating to the unlawful diversion of public funds totalling approximately ₦33.8 billion.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the EFCC proved its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt, rebuking him for living large as minister at the expense of Nigerians and noting that his actions were part of what kept Nigerians in perpetual darkness.
Mamman was, however, nowhere to be found when the verdict was read.
His defence counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that the defendant’s whereabouts had been unknown since Tuesday, when notice of the judgment date was issued. According to the lawyer, the defendant’s personal assistant later claimed he was ill.
The court was unimpressed. Justice Omotosho referenced media reports indicating that Mamman had recently participated in political activities, including the purchase of a governorship nomination form in Taraba State. Efforts by the defence to secure a postponement were rebuffed, and the court proceeded with the conviction.
The court convicted him on all grounds of the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
What The Court Found
The ex-minister, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found complicit in the illegal diversion of public funds totalling about ₦33.8 billion. The court found that he made a cash payment of $655,700 equivalent to ₦200 million for landed property in Abuja, without recourse to a financial institution. He was also found guilty of criminal breach of trust in relation to funds released by the federal government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.
According to the court, most of the funds were siphoned through Bureau de Change operators who converted the money into foreign currencies and handed it over to the defendant.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho stated: “The prosecution has established that, at least, ₦22 billion was siphoned by the defendant and his cronies. This is sufficient to sustain the charge. The defence did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the evidence of the prosecution.”
Sentencing Deferred, Arrest Warrant Issued
Justice Omotosho suspended the sentencing portion of the judgment until May 12 because, contrary to standard practice, the ex-minister stayed away from Thursday’s court session.
The court deferred sentencing while granting the EFCC’s request to issue a warrant for his arrest.
EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), had urged the court to proceed, dismissing the defence’s explanation as insufficient. “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,” Oyedepo said.
Background
Mamman was appointed Minister of Power by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019 and was later relieved of his duties in September 2021. He was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office.
During the trial, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case. The anti-graft agency alleged that Mamman conspired with officials of the ministry to divert about ₦22 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects, and that investigations showed the diverted funds were used to acquire high-value assets both within and outside Nigeria.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 12, 2026.
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