Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering judgment in Abuja, Justice Omotosho held that the anti-graft agency successfully proved the case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found guilty of illegally diverting public funds amounting to about ₦33.8 billion.
The court also found him guilty of making a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a landed property in Abuja without using a financial institution, contrary to financial regulations.
According to the court, the former minister committed criminal breach of trust in relation to funds released by the Federal Government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
Justice Omotosho stated that a significant portion of the funds was allegedly diverted through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currencies and handed it over to the defendant.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as 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,” he added.
The judge further criticised Mamman’s performance while serving as Minister of Power, noting that he failed to leave a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s electricity sector.
“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 Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” Justice Omotosho said.
However, Mamman was absent in court when the judgment was delivered.
Following his absence, the court granted the EFCC’s request for a warrant of arrest and deferred sentencing.
Counsel to the defendant, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that Mamman’s whereabouts had been unknown since the judgment date was communicated last Tuesday.
According to him, the defendant’s personal assistant later claimed that Mamman was ill.
The defence counsel’s request for the judgment to be postponed was rejected by the court.
Justice Omotosho also referenced media reports indicating that the former minister had recently participated in political activities and allegedly purchased a governorship nomination form ahead of the Taraba State Governorship Election.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, 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 Buhari.
During the trial, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the former minister conspired with ministry officials to divert about ₦22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects.
Investigators also claimed that the diverted funds were used to acquire luxury assets within and outside Nigeria.
The court has fixed Tuesday, May 13, 2026, for sentencing.
