Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman Convicted Over N33.8bn Fraud, Money Laundering

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering.

Delivering judgment in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024, Justice James Omotosho found the former minister guilty on all charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was convicted over the unlawful diversion of public funds amounting to about N33.8 billion.

The court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing the former minister’s involvement in the illegal handling and diversion of government funds linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.

Justice Omotosho also found Mamman guilty of making a cash payment of $655,700 (about N200 million) for a property in Abuja without routing the transaction through a financial institution, contrary to anti-money laundering regulations.

According to the court, a significant portion of the diverted funds was allegedly channelled through bureau de change operators, who converted the money into foreign currencies and delivered it to the defendant.

“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge ruled.

“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” Justice Omotosho added.