A Federal High Court in Abuja has found former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman guilty of money laundering and fraud relating to the diversion of N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects, issuing a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court when judgment was delivered.
Trial judge Justice James Omotosho, who held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had established the 12-count amended charge against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt, described the diversion of public funds intended for critical power infrastructure as an act of sheer greed that had directly contributed to keeping Nigeria in darkness.
The judge found that at least N22 billion had been siphoned by Mamman and his associates through proxy companies and accomplices and praised the EFCC for the diligence and coherence of its investigation in linking the former minister to the funds despite his attempts to conceal his involvement.
“The sheer greed of the defendant and his comrades in crime is nothing but a downright shameful thing. For a defendant who held a critical position such as the Ministry of Power, rather than being concerned with creating a legacy of solving the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant began siphoning and converting monies for serious projects into private pockets,” Omotosho said.
The EFCC had called 17 prosecution witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits against the defendant, who had pleaded not guilty when arraigned in July 2024. The defense called no witnesses. The court directed that the defendant be arrested and produced before it for sentencing on May 13, 2026.
