A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count charge bordering on fraud, money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving about ₦33.8 billion.
Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, successfully proved its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found guilty of illegally diverting public funds meant for critical power projects, including the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plants.
The court specifically found that the former minister paid $655,700 in cash, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a landed property in Abuja without passing through any financial institution, contrary to the law.
Justice Omotosho held that huge sums earmarked for the power projects were routed through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the funds into foreign currencies before handing them over to the defendant.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge said.
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
The trial judge also faulted Mamman for failing to leave behind any meaningful impact in the power sector despite occupying a strategic office.
“Rather than creating a legacy to tackle the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary citizens,” Justice Omotosho stated.
“Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today.”
Mamman was absent in court when the judgment was delivered, prompting the EFCC to apply for a warrant for his arrest.
Defence counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that the whereabouts of the former minister had remained unknown since notice of the judgment date was issued last Tuesday.
According to him, the defendant’s personal assistant later informed him that Mamman was ill.
However, efforts by the defence to persuade the court to postpone the judgment failed.
Justice Omotosho referenced reports indicating that the former minister had recently participated in political activities, including the purchase of a governorship nomination form in Taraba State.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to proceed with the matter, insisting there was no valid reason for the defendant’s absence.
“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.
Mamman was arrested in 2021, months after he was removed from office by former President Buhari.
During the trial, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits in support of its case.
The anti-graft agency accused the former minister and some ministry officials of conspiring to divert about ₦22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects, with part of the funds allegedly used to acquire luxury assets within and outside Nigeria.
The court fixed Tuesday, May 12, for sentencing.
