A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment after convicting him on multiple counts of money laundering and fraud involving ₦33.8 billion linked to major hydroelectric power projects.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges centered on alleged diversion and laundering of public funds connected to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
According to the court, the former minister received consecutive prison terms on the various counts, with most carrying seven-year sentences to run consecutively rather than concurrently. The court also imposed fines and ordered the forfeiture of several assets and properties traced to the illicit funds.
The EFCC, during the trial, presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits to establish its case against the former minister. Prosecutors detailed how large sums of money earmarked for critical power infrastructure were allegedly diverted through cash transactions and proxies.
Among the transactions highlighted in court was the alleged diversion of $655,700 used to acquire real estate in Abuja. Investigators argued that the funds formed part of a broader scheme to siphon resources intended for strategic national electricity projects.
In a dramatic twist, Mamman reportedly failed to appear in court for both his conviction and sentencing. His absence prompted Justice Omotosho to issue a bench warrant for his arrest, while security agencies have reportedly activated international channels, including an Interpol alert, to facilitate his apprehension.
The judgment is being viewed as one of the most significant anti-corruption rulings involving Nigeria’s power sector in recent years. Analysts say the case underscores growing judicial scrutiny over the management of public funds in a sector long plagued by inefficiency, abandoned projects, and chronic electricity shortages.
The Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects are among Nigeria’s most ambitious power initiatives, designed to boost electricity generation and reduce the nation’s persistent energy deficit. However, delays, funding controversies, and corruption allegations have repeatedly hindered progress.
Anti-corruption advocates have welcomed the ruling, describing it as a strong signal that public officials could increasingly be held accountable for financial misconduct. They argue that successful prosecution of high-profile corruption cases is essential to restoring public confidence in governance and public institutions.
Despite the conviction, legal observers note that the case may not be over, as Mamman still faces another separate fraud case involving an alleged ₦31 billion. His legal team is also expected to challenge aspects of the judgment through the appellate courts.
For many Nigerians frustrated by years of poor electricity supply despite huge government spending, the ruling represents a symbolic moment in the broader demand for accountability and transparency in the management of national resources.
