A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman on a 12 count money laundering case involving the alleged diversion of about N33.8 billion in public funds.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, May 7, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had successfully proved the allegations against Mamman beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge criticised the former minister’s conduct while in office, saying the misuse of public resources contributed to Nigeria’s ongoing electricity supply problems. Justice Omotosho, however, postponed sentencing until May 12 after Mamman failed to appear in court for the judgment.
His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court he had not been able to contact his client since Tuesday after receiving notice of the judgment date. He said he was informed by one of Mamman’s associates that the former minister was ill.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, challenged the explanation, arguing that no evidence had been presented to support claims that Mamman was sick.
Oyedepo subsequently asked the court to issue a bench warrant for the former minister’s arrest. The court granted the request and ordered security authorities to locate Mamman, arrest him and produce him before the court on May 12 for sentencing.
Mamman was initially arrested in 2021, several months after he was removed from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari. During the trial, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits as evidence.
Investigators alleged that Mamman worked with ministry officials to divert approximately N22 billion originally allocated to the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects. According to the anti graft agency, the diverted funds were allegedly used to purchase high value assets both in Nigeria and abroad.
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