The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a cumulative 75 years in prison for money laundering involving N33.8 billion meant for Nigeria's electricity projects. The judgement, delivered on 7 May, marks one of the stiffest punishments ever handed to a public official for corruption in Nigeria's democratic history.
Court Delivers Historic Consecutive Sentences
Justice James Omotosho found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court ordered the sentences to run consecutively, meaning Mamman will serve each term back-to-back: seven years for each of 10 counts, two years for one count, and three years for another. This unusual order distinguishes his case from typical concurrent sentences, resulting in the historic 75-year term.
The conviction stems from the diversion of funds allocated for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydropower projects, which were designed to add nearly 4,000 megawatts to Nigeria's grid. The Zungeru plant in Niger State, a 700 MW facility, is near completion, while the $5.8 billion Mambilla project in Taraba State has been stalled since the 1970s.
EFCC Reveals Lavish Spending and Proxy Transactions
Prosecutors presented evidence that Mamman used proxy companies and associates to convert stolen funds into cash and luxury assets. One key revelation involved the purchase of a N200 million property at No. 12 A & B, Lungi Street, Wuse II, Abuja, paid for in dollar cash. EFCC investigator Abubakar Kweido testified that funds from the Ministry of Power accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria were diverted to several Bureau de Change operators with no known contracts.
The court heard that Mamman spent N47 million on accommodation at Sammy Court Resort in Abuja between 2019 and 2022. His personal assistant, Misbahu Idris, allegedly incurred N777.3 million in charges from the stolen funds during the same period. The prosecution called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits, including account records and a letter from the Accountant General's Office confirming that beneficiary companies were not legitimate contractors.
Mamman's Arrest and Ongoing Trials
Mamman, who had been on bail, was absent during the judgement. The court ordered his arrest, and EFCC operatives apprehended him on 19 May in the Rigasa area of Kaduna after an intelligence-led operation. He also faces separate N31 billion fraud charges at the FCT High Court in Maitama, where he was arraigned alongside seven others on 16 October 2025.
Reactions and Deterrence
The sentence has drawn reactions from anti-corruption advocates. Lawyer Sherif Aduke noted, "I believe it's one of the stiffest in history," adding that the jail time will likely extend beyond Mamman's lifespan. Auwal Musa, executive director of CISLAC, said the judgement could deter public looting but stressed, "It is not about how many years in prison. It is about stopping them from benefiting from the loot." Tunde Salman of Good Governance Team Nigeria called the ruling evidence that Nigeria is becoming more serious about anti-corruption enforcement.
