A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday found former Minister of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, guilty on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho said the EFCC proved its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt and convicted him on all charges in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was linked to the illegal diversion of about ₦33.8 billion in public funds. The court also found that he paid $655,700, equivalent to ₦200 million, in cash for a property in Abuja without using any financial institution.
He was equally convicted for criminal breach of trust involving funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects. The court said much of the money was moved through Bureau de Change operators who changed the funds into foreign currency and handed them to him.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant.
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” Justice Omotosho held.
“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 that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” the judge added.
