A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12-count charges bordering on money laundering amounting to N33.8 billion.
Mamman, who was absent in court during the proceedings, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged laundering of N33,804,830,503.73 linked to funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.
According to the EFCC, the former minister allegedly conspired with officials of the Ministry of Power and some private companies in 2019 to divert and convert the funds through various private firms, knowing they were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Part of the charge read: “That you, SALEH MAMMAN, sometime in 2019, in Abuja, whilst you were the Minister of Power, conspired with other officials of your ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of N33,804,830,503.73 through various private companies, which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity.”
Another count accused Mamman of conspiring with one Samson Bitrus to make a cash payment of $665,700 to Mohiba Investment Ltd through Mohammed Asheik Jidda without passing through a financial institution, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
At Thursday’s proceedings, defence counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that although the defence received hearing notice for the judgment on Tuesday, efforts to reach the former minister had been unsuccessful.
“My Lord, the defendant is not in court. Since we received the notice, we have been trying to reach him, but all efforts have not been successful. Yesterday, one of his associates informed us that he is indisposed,” Ahmed said.
However, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, argued that there was no medical evidence before the court to support claims that the former minister was ill. He urged the court to proceed with the judgment in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Justice James Omotosho faulted the defence over the inconsistent explanations regarding Mamman’s absence.
“The defendant is not here, and there is no medical report to back this. We are all ministers in the temple of justice, counsel,” the judge said.
The court subsequently convicted Mamman on all 12 counts of money laundering but deferred sentencing until May 13, 2026, due to his absence from court.
To prevent the former minister from fleeing the country before sentencing, the prosecution applied for a bench warrant for his arrest. The application was granted by the court.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
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