A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years’ imprisonment in absentia after finding him guilty of money laundering and fraud involving ₦33.8bn brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution proved the 12-count charge beyond reasonable doubt, leading to multiple prison terms that will run consecutively.
Mamman was handed seven years each on most of the counts, along with additional shorter sentences on the remaining charges, with no option of fine on the majority of them.
The court noted that his absence during judgment was a deliberate attempt to frustrate justice and allowed sentencing to proceed under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The judge also ordered his arrest by all security agencies, including Interpol, and directed that he be handed over to the Nigerian Correctional Service once apprehended. His sentence will begin from the date of arrest.
In addition, the court ordered the final forfeiture of funds, foreign currencies, and properties linked to him, including assets traced to Abuja, and mandated the recovery of outstanding diverted funds tied to major hydroelectric projects such as Mambilla and Zungeru.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was initially arraigned in 2024 on charges relating to conspiracy and large-scale money laundering.
