Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering involving over N33.8 billion.
The conviction followed his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the alleged laundering of ₦33,804,830,503.73 linked to funds earmarked for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
According to the charges, Mamman allegedly conspired with officials of the Ministry of Power and private firms in 2019 to divert public funds said to be proceeds of unlawful activities connected to criminal breach of trust.
One of the charges accused the former minister of conspiring with Samson Bitrus to make a cash payment of $665,700 to Mohiba Investment Ltd outside the banking system, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Although judgment had been fixed for Thursday, the former minister failed to appear in court.
Read Also:
- N122b Opu Nembe oil spill suit: Court grants plaintiff’s motion for ammendment
- Power outage shuts down Federal High Court in Bayelsa
- Industrial Court slams N5m fine on NUJ over illegal suspension of members
His counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that attempts to contact Mamman were unsuccessful, adding that an associate claimed the former minister was indisposed.
However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), argued that no medical report had been presented before the court to justify his absence and urged the judge to proceed with the judgment in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Reacting, Justice Omotosho questioned the defence over the absence of the defendant, noting that there was no evidence before the court to support claims of illness.
“The defendant is not here, and there is no medical report to back this. We are all ministers in the temple of justice, counsel,” the judge stated.
The court subsequently found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts and adjourned sentencing until May 13, 2026, due to his absence.
Following the conviction, the EFCC applied for a bench warrant against the former minister to ensure he appears for sentencing, and the court granted the request.
