The federal high court sitting in Abuja has convicted Saleh Mamman, former minister of power, on allegations of money laundering.
James Omotosho, presiding judge, convicted Mamman on all 12 counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Omotosho held that he was satisfied that the anti-graft agency had successfully established the ex-minister’s culpability beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mamman served as minister of power under then-President Muhammadu Buhari from August 21, 2019, to September 1, 2021.
He was removed from office as part of a cabinet reshuffle.
In July 2024, the EFCC arraigned Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and conspiracy with officials at the ministry and some private companies to “indirectly convert” the sum of N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydro electric power projects.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
The EFCC had called 17 witnesses who testified before the court and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case.
In the judgment on Thursday, Mamman was found guilty of criminal breach of trust in relation to funds released by the federal government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.
The court said evidence shows that Mamman made a cash payment of $655,700 (equivalent of N200 million) for landed property in Abuja, without recourse to a financial institution.
The court noted that most of the funds were siphoned through Bureau de Change operators (BDCs) who converted the money into foreign currencies and handed same to the defendant.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge held.
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the defendant was absent when he was convicted by the court.
Consequently, the court issued a warrant for his arrest and deferred his sentencing to May 13.
Earlier, Mohammed Ahmed, counsel to the defendant, told the court that since the notice for the scheduled judgment was issued last Tuesday, the whereabouts of his client had remained unknown.
Ahmed said the defendant’s personal assistant later informed him that the former minister was ill.
The defence counsel’s application seeking an adjournment of the judgment was, however, rejected by the court.
The judge referred to media reports suggesting that the defendant had recently been involved in political activities, including purchasing a governorship nomination form in Taraba state.
Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, urged the court to proceed with the judgment, arguing that no reasonable explanation had been provided for 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.
