In a landmark ruling on Thursday against corruption, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering.
Judge James Omotosho ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proven its case against Mamman beyond a reasonable doubt.
The conviction, filed under charge FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024, stems from Mamman’s time in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The court found him complicit in the illegal diversion of approximately ₦33.8 billion in public funds.
Specific findings included a suspicious cash payment of $655,700 for Abuja real estate and the criminal breach of trust regarding funds allocated for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.
Evidence showed that Mamman siphoned these funds through Bureau de Change (BDC) operators to convert them into foreign currency.
“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,” Justice Omotosho held.
The trial judge decried that the defendant, as Minister of Power, was not bothered about 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 blasted the ex-Minister.
Mamman was convicted in absentia on Thursday, leading to an immediate EFCC application for his arrest.
His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, claimed the former minister had essentially gone missing since Tuesday, citing a vague report from an assistant that Mamman was “sick.”
However, the court was unconvinced. The trial judge noted that Mamman had recently been active enough to purchase a governorship form for Taraba State.
Echoing this skepticism, EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, insisted that the judgment proceed, arguing that the “illness” excuse lacked merit.
“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 said.
Persecondnews recalls that Mamman was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office by ex-President Buhari.
The EFCC produced 17 witnesses who testified before the court and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case.
The agency, among other things, alleged that he conspired with ministry staff to divert about ₦22bn meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
The anti-graft agency said its investigations revealed that the suspects used the funds to acquire choice assets, both within and outside the country.
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