A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in connection with a multi-billion naira fraud case involving public funds allocated to major electricity projects in Nigeria.
The judgment was delivered by Justice James Omotosho after the court concluded that prosecutors from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission presented sufficient evidence linking the former minister to financial crimes and abuse of office.
The court held that Mamman unlawfully handled and diverted funds tied to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric projects during his time in office under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Part of the findings showed that the former minister reportedly paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash for a property in Abuja without routing the transaction through a recognised financial institution.
Justice Omotosho stated that the defence failed to counter the evidence presented by the EFCC, describing the prosecution’s case as convincing and well-established.
According to the judge, financial records and witness testimonies revealed that large sums were allegedly moved through Bureau de Change operators before being converted into foreign currency.
The court also criticised Mamman’s stewardship in the power sector, noting that despite occupying a strategic position, Nigeria’s electricity challenges remained unresolved.
The former minister was not present in court when the judgment was delivered.
His counsel informed the court that efforts to reach him had been unsuccessful and later claimed he was unwell. However, the judge dismissed attempts to delay proceedings and continued with the ruling.
Following the conviction, the court approved the EFCC’s request for a warrant to secure Mamman’s arrest ahead of sentencing.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 13, 2026, for sentencing.
Mamman was initially arrested in 2021 after leaving office, with investigators accusing him of diverting billions of naira meant for critical power infrastructure projects.
During the trial, the anti-corruption agency presented multiple witnesses and documentary evidence to support its claims.
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