The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count charge of fraud and money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The verdict was delivered on Thursday, May 7, by Justice James Omotosho, who ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Court Convicts Former Minister on All Charges
Justice Omotosho convicted Mamman on all counts in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024. The former minister, who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was found guilty of illegally diverting public funds totaling approximately N33.8 billion.
The court established that Mamman made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to N200 million, for a landed property in Abuja without involving any financial institution. He was also found guilty of criminal breach of trust regarding funds released by the federal government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.
Funds Siphoned Through Bureaux de Change
Evidence presented in court showed that most of the diverted funds were channeled through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currencies and handed it over to the defendant. Justice Omotosho noted, “The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant. The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
The judge lamented that Mamman, as Minister of Power, showed no concern for leaving a lasting legacy. “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. Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” the judge added.
Defendant Absent During Conviction
Mamman was not present in court when the conviction was announced. Consequently, the court deferred his sentence, and the EFCC applied for a warrant of arrest against him. A lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, who announced his appearance for the defendant, informed the court that Mamman’s whereabouts had been unknown since the notice of the scheduled judgment was issued the previous Tuesday. He added that the defendant’s personal assistant later claimed he was sick.
The defence lawyer’s efforts to have the judgment postponed were unsuccessful. The trial judge referenced news reports indicating that Mamman had been actively involved in political activities, having purchased a form to contest the governorship election in Taraba State.
Prosecution Urges Court to Proceed
The EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, urged the court to proceed with the judgment, insisting there was no reasonable justification for the defendant’s absence. “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 prosecution counsel stated.
Mamman was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office by ex-President Buhari. The EFCC presented 17 witnesses who testified before the court and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case. The agency alleged that Mamman conspired with ministry staff to divert about N22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects. Investigations revealed that the suspects used the funds to acquire choice assets both within and outside the country.
