• Former Power Minister, Saleh Mamman, sentenced to 75 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abuja
• Justice James Omotosho convicted Mamman on all 12 counts related to conspiracy and money laundering
• The Court ordered the prison terms to run consecutively, resulting in a combined 75-year sentence

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, May 13, sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over corruption linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho convicted Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The judge sentenced the former minister on each count and ordered that the prison terms run consecutively, bringing the total jail term to 75 years.

Justice Omotosho further ruled that the sentence would begin from the day Mamman is arrested, as the former minister was convicted in absentia.

The court also directed all security agencies, including Interpol, to arrest him wherever he is found.

In addition, the court ordered that all monies and properties recovered from Mamman be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The former minister was also directed to refund the outstanding balance from the alleged N22 billion traced to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.

The case stemmed from allegations that Mamman, alongside ministry officials and private companies, diverted about N33.8 billion earmarked for the two major power projects.

The EFCC had arraigned Mamman before the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 11, 2024, on 12 counts bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

During the trial, the anti-graft agency called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits to support its case against the former minister.

Following the close of the prosecution’s case, Mamman filed a no-case submission on November 19, 2025, insisting that the EFCC failed to establish sufficient evidence requiring him to open a defence.

However, in a ruling delivered on December 11, 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the former minister.

“The ruling does not amount to a declaration of guilt,” the judge had clarified at the time, adding that there was enough evidence requiring the defendant to respond to the allegations.

The matter was later adjourned to February 23, 2026, for the commencement of defence proceedings.

Wednesday’s judgment brings to a close one of Nigeria’s high-profile corruption trials involving public funds meant for critical power infrastructure projects.

Mamman was initially arrested and detained by the EFCC on May 10, 2021, before his eventual arraignment and conviction.

Court of Appeal upholds El-Rufai’s right to fair hearing, orders fresh trial

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Court of Appeal had affirmed the right of Nasir El-Rufai to a fair hearing, setting aside the judgment earlier delivered by the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

The court found that El-Rufai had not been properly served notice and was denied the chance to respond, breaching due process.

The matter was remitted for reassignment to another judge, ensuring a new hearing in line with fair hearing principles.