James Omotosho of the Federal High Court on Wednesday sentenced former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman to 75 years’ imprisonment in absentia over a N33.8 billion money laundering and fraud case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The court convicted Mamman on all 12 counts brought against him by the anti-graft agency, ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the prison terms run consecutively rather than concurrently, resulting in a total sentence of 75 years.
The former minister received seven years’ imprisonment each on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without the option of a fine.
He was also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on count four with an option of a N10 million fine and two years’ imprisonment on count five without the option of a fine.
The judge held that Mamman deliberately absented himself from court in an attempt to frustrate the administration of justice.
Relying on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the court agreed with EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo that sentencing could proceed despite the defendant’s absence.
Justice Omotosho subsequently directed all security agencies, including Interpol, to arrest Mamman wherever he is found and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service to begin serving his sentence.
The court ruled that the prison term would commence from the date of his arrest.
The judge also ordered the final forfeiture of recovered funds, foreign currencies and properties linked to the convict, including assets traced to him in Abuja.
In addition, the court directed Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the N22 billion that the prosecution established was diverted from funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was first arraigned in July 2024 on allegations bordering on conspiracy and money laundering involving N33.8 billion in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
Justice Omotosho had earlier convicted the former minister in absentia on May 7 after ruling that the EFCC had established his culpability beyond reasonable doubt and subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest.
