Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman Convicted in ₦33.8bn Fraud Case, Sentencing Adjourned
A former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has been convicted by an Abuja Federal High Court on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering, involving the diversion of over ₦33.8 billion. The court, which issued an arrest warrant for Mamman following his absence, deferred his sentencing to May 12 after finding him guilty of misusing public funds meant for key power projects.
Saleh Mamman has been convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering involving approximately ₦33.8 billion in public funds. The court ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully proved that Mamman participated in the diversion and laundering of funds allocated for major national power projects.
The judgment found that funds linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric projects were illegally siphoned through Bureau de Change operators and converted into foreign currencies.
The court also established that Mamman made large cash transactions for property acquisition outside the formal banking system, describing the prosecution’s evidence as overwhelming and the defence as insufficient to counter the allegations.
The court ordered Mamman’s arrest after he failed to appear for sentencing, which was adjourned to May 12. Prosecutors rejected claims of illness and argued there was no justification for his absence, noting his recent public activities.
The EFCC presented extensive evidence during the trial, including multiple witnesses and exhibits, detailing how public funds were allegedly diverted and used to acquire assets locally and internationally.