Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment after convicting him on multiple counts of money laundering involving over N33.8 billion linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Projects.
The former minister, who was absent during Wednesday’s sentencing proceedings, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering and illegal cash transactions amounting to N33,804,830,503.73. The court had last week found Mamman guilty on all counts but reserved sentencing until May 13, 2026.
At the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the convict was again absent without any satisfactory explanation from his legal team. Oyedepo urged the court to proceed with sentencing in line with Sections 266 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Oyedepo also asked the court to order the forfeiture of properties and cash linked to the former minister. Among the assets listed were two units of four-bedroom detached apartments located at 93 Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja, and another property at No. 12A and B, Lingo Street, Wuse, Abuja. The prosecution further sought the forfeiture of various foreign currencies allegedly recovered from Mamman’s residence, including $13,890, €19,960, £10,000, 42,390 Doran, R35,000, ₹50,60,00 and 247 Saudi Riyals.
In delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to seven years imprisonment each on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without an option of fine. He also sentenced him to three years imprisonment on count four with an option of N10 million fine and two years imprisonment on count five without an option of fine. The judge ruled that the sentences would run consecutively from the date of his arrest, bringing the total prison term to 75 years.
The judge further ordered national and international security agencies to arrest the former minister and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service to begin serving his sentence.
One of the charges against Mamman accused him of conspiring with officials of the Ministry of Power and private companies in 2019 to indirectly convert N33.8 billion, funds allegedly linked to unlawful activities involving the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects. Another count accused him of conspiring with one Samson Bitrus to make a cash payment of $665,700 to Mohiba Investment Ltd without passing through a financial institution, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Justice Omotosho had earlier frowned at the former minister’s repeated absence from court, noting during previous proceedings that no medical report or valid documentation had been presented to justify his failure to appear before the court.
