A Nigerian court has handed a 75-year jail term to former Power Minister Saleh Mamman after finding him guilty of diverting about ₦33.8 billion ($24.7 million) meant for critical electricity projects.
The Federal High Court in Abuja found Mamman, 68, guilty on 12 counts of fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering linked to the diversion of public funds.
The case was brought by Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Prosecutors showed that about ₦33.8 billion (roughly $24.7 million) earmarked for hydroelectric power projects was illegally diverted during his tenure.
Court Orders, 75-Year Sentence, and Manhunt for Missing Ex-Minister
Justice James Omotosho sentenced Saleh Mamman to multiple prison terms across the seven charges, seven years each on most counts, plus additional shorter terms, and ruled that they should run consecutively rather than at the same time, which brought the cumulative sentence to 75 years behind bars.
The judge also ordered that all properties and funds traced to the former minister be forfeited to the government, while directing Mamman to repay about ₦22 billion linked to the fraudulent scheme uncovered during the trial.
Mamman was not present in court during either his conviction or sentencing, and Nigerian authorities say his whereabouts remain unknown.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the case, efforts to locate him have so far been unsuccessful, while his defense lawyer told the court he had lost contact with his client and could not reach him by phone.
The court proceeded to sentence him in absentia, invoking Nigeria’s criminal justice laws that allow trials and sentencing to continue when a defendant absconds.
Security agencies, including Interpol, have been directed to track him down and arrest him wherever he is found, with the sentence to begin only once he is in custody.
Saleh Mamman Scheme Details and Career Timeline
Court findings showed that Saleh Mamman worked with individuals within the ministry and a network of private firms to divert public funds meant for critical infrastructure projects.
Mamman allegedly channeled the money through bureau de change operators, converting large sums into foreign currency to conceal their source, and carried out cash transactions outside the formal banking system, including the purchase of high-value property.
The diverted funds had originally been set aside for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects, two key initiatives aimed at improving Nigeria’s electricity supply.
Mamman served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration had pledged to crack down on corruption.
He was later removed from office during a cabinet reshuffle, before investigations into his conduct gathered pace.
Just weeks before his sentencing, Mamman had signaled his intention to contest for the governorship of Taraba State in the 2027 elections under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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