Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, over a ₦33.8 billion fraud and money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The court found the former minister guilty on multiple counts linked to the diversion of public funds meant for major power projects in Nigeria.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the court, Mamman illegally diverted billions of naira allocated for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects during his time in office under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The court also found him guilty of making a cash payment of $655,700 — equivalent to about ₦200 million — for the purchase of a property in Abuja without using any financial institution.
Investigations presented before the court showed that large amounts of the diverted funds were allegedly moved through Bureau de Change operators, converted into foreign currencies, and later handed over to the former minister.
⚖️ WHAT THE COURT SAID
Justice Omotosho criticised the defence presented by the former minister, stating that the evidence against him was overwhelming.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge held.
He further stated:
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
The judge also condemned the former minister’s handling of the power sector, saying Nigerians had little to show from his time in office despite the huge public funds involved.
“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,” Justice Omotosho said.
“Little wonder Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” he added.
DEFENDANT ABSENT IN COURT
The former minister was absent when the judgment was delivered.
His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that Mamman’s whereabouts had remained unknown since notice of the judgment date was issued.
According to the defence counsel, the former minister’s aide later informed him that Mamman was ill.
However, the court rejected requests to postpone the judgment.
Justice Omotosho referenced reports suggesting that the former minister had recently remained active politically and had even obtained a governorship nomination form ahead of the Taraba State governorship race.
EFCC REACTION
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to proceed with the judgment despite the defendant’s absence.
“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,” Oyedepo said.
Following the conviction, the court granted the EFCC’s request for a warrant of arrest against Mamman.
BACKGROUND TO THE CASE
The former minister was initially arrested in 2021, just months after he was removed from office by former President Buhari.
During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and submitted 43 exhibits before the court.
The anti-graft agency accused Mamman and some ministry officials of diverting about ₦22 billion meant for critical hydroelectric power projects.
According to investigators, part of the stolen funds was allegedly used to acquire luxury assets both within and outside Nigeria.
The court has fixed May 12, 2026, for sentencing.
The conviction of the former power minister marks another major corruption case in Nigeria’s public sector. The judgment has also renewed conversations around accountability, misuse of public funds, and the long-standing electricity challenges facing millions of Nigerians.
