The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count charge involving ₦33.8 billion fraud and money laundering.
The court ruled on Thursday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, marking a full conviction under charge FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
Mamman, a former official in Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was found guilty of illegally diverting massive public funds, including a ₦200 million ($655,700) cash transaction for Abuja property that bypassed financial institutions.
He was also convicted of a criminal breach of trust regarding money meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
The court found that these funds were siphoned via Bureau de Change operators who converted the cash to foreign currency for the defendant.
Justice Omotosho stated, “The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant.”
He further noted, “The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
The judge criticized the former Minister’s priorities, stating that “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.”
He remarked that because of such actions, “Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today.”
Mamman was absent during the conviction. His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, claimed the defendant’s whereabouts were unknown, though a personal assistant suggested he was ill.
However, the judge noted reports of Mamman’s recent political activities in Taraba State.
EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, insisted on proceeding, saying, “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.”
The EFCC, which arrested Mamman in 2021, presented 17 witnesses and 43 exhibits to prove he conspired to divert ₦22bn from power projects to buy luxury assets.
The court has deferred sentencing while the EFCC seeks an arrest warrant.
