In a landmark judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a total of 75 years’ imprisonment.
The sentence follows his conviction on a 12-count charge related to money laundering and corruption involving the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the prison terms for each count would run consecutively, resulting in the 75-year total. Notably, the sentence was handed down in absentia, as the former minister was not present in court.
“Justice Omotosho further ordered that the jail term would begin from the day the convict is arrested,” the court declared, while directing all security agencies across the country to track down and arrest Mamman wherever he may be found.
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The former minister, who served under the Buhari administration, was found guilty of conspiring to divert approximately ₦33.8 billion intended for major power projects.
The court also ordered the immediate forfeiture of all monies and properties recovered from him to the Federal Government.
Additionally, Mamman was ordered to refund the outstanding balance of the ₦22 billion linked specifically to the Mambilla and Zungeru projects.
“The court equally ordered that all monies and properties recovered from the former minister be forfeited to the Federal Government,” the judge emphasized, underscoring the severity of the financial crimes.
