The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, held that the anti-graft agency successfully established the former minister’s culpability beyond reasonable doubt.
Mamman served as Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The court found Mamman guilty of illegally diverting public funds amounting to about ₦33.8bn.
Justice Omotosho also held that the former minister made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200m, for a property in Abuja without using any financial institution.
He was further convicted for criminal breach of trust linked to funds released by the Federal Government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
According to the court, much of the money was allegedly routed through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the funds into foreign currencies and handed them to the defendant.
Justice Omotosho said the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence against the former minister.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge said.
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
The judge criticised Mamman’s handling of the power sector, saying he failed to leave any meaningful legacy while in office.
“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 held.
“Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today.”
Mamman was absent from court when the judgment was delivered.
Following his conviction, the court deferred sentencing and the EFCC applied for a warrant of arrest against him.
Counsel to the defendant, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that Mamman’s whereabouts had remained unknown since the notice for judgment was issued last Tuesday.
According to him, the former minister’s personal assistant later informed him that Mamman was ill.
The defence sought a postponement of the judgment, but the request was rejected by the court.
Justice Omotosho referred to reports indicating that Mamman had recently been involved in political activities, including purchasing a governorship nomination form in Taraba State.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to proceed with the judgment.
“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, months after he was removed from office by former President Buhari.
During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before the court.
The commission alleged that Mamman conspired with ministry officials to divert about ₦22bn meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
According to the agency, investigations showed that part of the diverted funds was used to acquire properties within and outside Nigeria.
The court fixed Tuesday, May 12, 2026, for sentencing.
