Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has been found guilty in a massive ₦33.8 billion fraud case after a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted him on multiple counts of money laundering and diversion of public funds.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved its case against the former Buhari-era minister beyond reasonable doubt.
The court convicted Mamman on a 12-count charge linked to the alleged illegal diversion of funds earmarked for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
Justice Omotosho held that the former Minister unlawfully diverted about ₦33.8 billion in public funds and also made a cash payment of $655,700 — equivalent to roughly ₦200 million — for a property in Abuja without using any financial institution.
The judge further found him guilty of criminal breach of trust over funds released by the Federal Government for key power projects.
According to the court, much of the money was moved through Bureau de Change operators who converted the funds into foreign currencies before handing them over to the defendant.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” Justice Omotosho said.
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
The judge also criticised Mamman’s tenure as Minister of Power, saying he failed to leave behind any meaningful impact in solving Nigeria’s electricity crisis.
“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,” the judge stated.
“Little wonder Nigerians have remained in darkness till today.”
Mamman was absent from court when the judgment was delivered.
Following his absence, the court postponed sentencing and granted the EFCC’s request for a warrant of arrest against him.
His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that Mamman’s whereabouts had been unknown since last Tuesday when the judgment date was communicated. He added that the defendant’s personal assistant later informed him that Mamman was ill.
However, attempts by the defence to stop the judgment from being delivered failed.
Justice Omotosho also referenced reports that Mamman had recently been active politically and allegedly obtained a governorship nomination form ahead of the Taraba State governorship election.
EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to proceed with the judgment, insisting there was no valid reason 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.
Mamman was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits.
The anti-graft agency accused the former Minister and ministry officials of diverting about ₦22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects.
Investigators also alleged that the stolen funds were used to acquire expensive assets both within and outside Nigeria.
The court fixed Tuesday, May 12, 2026, for sentencing.
