HISTORIC ANTI-CORRUPTION RULING: COURT SENTENCES FORMER POWER MINISTER SALEH MAMMAN TO 75 YEARS OVER ₦33.8BN PROJECT FRAUD

ABUJA, NIGERIA — In a major development for Nigeria's anti-corruption drive, the Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down a historic 75-year prison sentence to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman.Presiding Judge James Omotosho convicted Mamman on all 12 counts of money laundering and conspiracy brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).Consecutive Jail Terms and Assets Forfeiture In an uncompromising stance against public fund diversion, Justice Omotosho ruled that the prison terms for each count will run consecutively rather than concurrently. The breakdown includes: Seven years each for 10 counts under the Money Laundering Prohibition Act. Three years for Count 4, alongside an optional ₦10 million fine. Two years for Count 5 without any option of a fine. Furthermore, the court ordered the final forfeiture of two choice properties owned by Mamman in Abuja, as well as foreign currencies recovered during the investigation. He has also been ordered to refund an outstanding balance of ₦22 billion out of the ₦33.8 billion traced to the fraud. Delays to Mambilla and Zungeru Projects The multi-billion naira funds were originally earmarked for critical national infrastructure, specifically the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects. Prosecutors argued successfully that the systematic diversion of these funds directly stalled electricity supply improvement, impacting millions of Nigerian citizens and local businesses. Mamman, who served as power minister from 2019 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court. The court has issued an active directive to Nigerian security agencies and Interpol to arrest the fugitive politician on sight so he can begin his term.