Court Sentences Former Nigerian Power Minister Saleh Mamman to 75 Years Imprisonment Over Fraud Case

Former Nigerian Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has been sentenced to 75 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja over corruption and money laundering allegations involving billions of naira linked to major electricity projects in the country.

The judgement was delivered by Justice James Omotosho after the court found the former minister guilty on multiple counts bordering on fraud, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful diversion of public funds. The case was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency.

According to the court ruling, the prosecution successfully established that Mamman illegally diverted public funds allocated to the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Projects. The projects were originally designed to improve electricity generation and power supply across Nigeria.

The court earlier convicted the former minister on 12 counts related to fraud and money laundering on May 7, 2026. During the proceedings, the EFCC presented evidence showing that huge sums of government funds were unlawfully diverted while Mamman served as Minister of Power under former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

Justice Omotosho ruled that the anti-graft agency proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. As part of the judgement, the court ordered that the sentences should run consecutively. Mamman was also directed to refund approximately ₦22 billion linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.

The judgement came only a few days after the former minister reportedly obtained nomination forms to contest for the governorship election in Taraba State ahead of the 2027 general elections under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The EFCC accused Mamman of laundering funds totaling more than ₦33.8 billion. Although reports indicated that he was absent during part of the court proceedings, the prosecution continued with the trial.

Charges That Led to Saleh Mamman’s Conviction

The Federal High Court found the former minister guilty of several offences connected to the management of public funds meant for national power infrastructure projects.

The charges included:

• Illegal diversion of approximately ₦33.8 billion in public funds.
• Criminal breach of trust involving government allocations for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Projects.
• Money laundering and fraudulent financial transactions.
• Making a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a property located in Abuja without processing the transaction through a financial institution as required by law.

The court held that the offences violated Nigeria’s anti-money laundering regulations and constituted abuse of public office.

Background of Saleh Mamman

Saleh Mamman was sworn in as Nigeria’s Minister of Power on August 21, 2019, during the second administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He is from Taraba State in northeastern Nigeria and was born on January 2, 1958. Mamman studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Kaduna Polytechnic, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in 1988.

He later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Business Administration from Bayero University Kano in 2015.

Mamman served as Minister of Power from August 2019 until September 2021 before he was removed during a cabinet reshuffle carried out by the Buhari administration.

Impact of the Case on Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Fight

The sentencing of a former cabinet minister is expected to attract national attention, especially regarding accountability in Nigeria’s public sector. The case also highlights renewed scrutiny over the handling of funds allocated to major infrastructure projects across the country.

The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project remains one of Nigeria’s largest proposed electricity projects, while the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project was designed to improve national energy supply and reduce power shortages.

Observers believe the judgement may influence future anti-corruption enforcement efforts and reinforce demands for transparency in the management of public resources.