The Federal High Court in Abuja has found former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, guilty on multiple counts of fraud and money laundering in a case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that prosecutors proved their case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting the former minister on a 12-count charge linked to the diversion of public funds.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found to have unlawfully diverted approximately ₦33.8 billion meant for critical power projects.
The court also held that the former minister violated financial regulations by making a cash payment of $655,700 — estimated at over ₦200 million — for a property in Abuja without routing the transaction through a financial institution.
Justice Omotosho further convicted Mamman for criminal breach of trust connected to federal allocations for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
According to the court, a significant portion of the funds was funneled through Bureau de Change operators, converted into foreign currencies, and eventually delivered to the former minister.
In his ruling, the judge described the evidence presented by the prosecution as overwhelming, noting that the defence failed to effectively challenge the allegations.
“The prosecution established its case convincingly, while the defendant offered little or no credible defence,” the judge stated.
A Lasting Legacy
Justice Omotosho also criticised Mamman’s stewardship of Nigeria’s power sector, accusing him of enriching himself instead of addressing the country’s persistent electricity challenges.
“Rather than building a lasting legacy in the power sector, the defendant chose personal luxury at the expense of Nigerians,” the judge said, adding that the nation continues to struggle with poor electricity supply.
Mamman was absent from court during the judgment. Following the conviction, the court postponed sentencing, while the EFCC requested a warrant for his arrest.
Defence counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that the former minister’s whereabouts had been unknown since notice of the judgment was issued earlier in the week.
He added that Mamman’s aide later claimed the former minister was unwell.
The defence team sought a delay in the delivery of judgment, but the request was denied.
Justice Omotosho referenced reports suggesting Mamman had recently participated in political activities in Taraba State, including the purchase of a governorship nomination form.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to continue with the proceedings regardless of the defendant’s absence.
“My Lord should proceed. If the judgment favours him, we know the next step. If otherwise, we equally know what to do,” Oyedepo said.
Mamman was initially arrested in 2021, shortly after his removal from office by the Buhari administration.
Throughout the trial, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and submitted 43 exhibits as evidence.
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The anti-corruption agency alleged that the former minister collaborated with ministry officials to divert nearly ₦22 billion allocated for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric projects.
Investigators also told the court that part of the misappropriated funds was used to purchase properties both in Nigeria and abroad.
The court has scheduled May 12, 2026, for sentencing.