A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a former Minister for Power Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison over a N33.8 billion fraud.
The ruling follows Mamman’s recent conviction on 12 counts of money laundering and fraud reaching N33.8 billion.
According to the court documents, the funds are linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects that were expected to boost Nigeria’s power sector.
The former Minister for Power will serve the sentence which is mostly seven years in most counts. He is also expected to pay fines and forfeit some of his properties.
Notably, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured his conviction after proving their case beyond reasonable doubt. The antigraft agency presented 17 witnesses and 43 exhibits highlighting cash diversions. These included a $655,700 payment for an Abuja real estate.
Altogether, the recovered assets and cash will be forfeited to the federal government and expected to be redirected to the power projects.
Meanwhile, the sentence came in the absence of the former minister of power who has absconded since before the ruling. Hence, the court has approved a bench warrant for his arrest, as well as an Interpol alert. As such, his sentence will begin to run from the day he is arrested.
The sentencing comes with mixed feelings to Nigerians. While some expressed relief, others are shocked at the magnitude of fraud under the previous administration.
Mamman served as Minister of Power from August 2019 to July 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
