Just In: Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman Bags 75-year Jail Term For ₦33.8bn Fraud

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Power Minister, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over the diversion of about ₦33.8 billion in public funds linked to power projects.

Justice James Omotosho convicted Mamman on all 12 counts of fraud and money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court imposed seven-year jail terms on 10 counts, while counts four and five attracted three years and two years respectively, to run consecutively. Justice Omotosho also approved a ₦10 million fine option on one count and ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies and four Abuja properties traced to the former minister.

The judge held that funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects were diverted through Bureau de Change operators, who allegedly converted and transferred the money to the convict.

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was absent during both conviction and sentencing. The court subsequently directed security agencies to work with Interpol to secure his arrest, ordering that his sentence begin from the day he is apprehended.