A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison over fraud and money laundering involving about N33.8 billion.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice James Omotosho convicted the former minister on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge sentenced Mamman to seven years imprisonment on 10 counts, while he received three years and two years respectively on the remaining counts. The sentences are to run consecutively, with only one count carrying an option of fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of several properties in Abuja and foreign currencies recovered from him. Investigators said the funds were diverted from the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects through Bureau de Change operators.
Justice Omotosho criticised the former minister for allegedly enriching himself instead of improving Nigeria’s electricity sector, stating that ordinary Nigerians continued to suffer poor power supply due to corruption in the system.
Mamman was absent during both his conviction and sentencing, prompting the court to order security agencies and Interpol to help track and arrest him.
