Isaac Samuel
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over the diversion of funds linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
The court convicted Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on fraud, money laundering and criminal breach of trust filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Omotosho sentenced the former minister to seven years imprisonment each on 10 counts, while he was handed three years and two years imprisonment on counts four and five respectively.
The judge ordered that the sentences run consecutively, bringing the total jail term to 75 years.
The court, however, gave the convict an option of N10 million fine on count four.
Justice Omotosho also ordered that the prison term would commence from the day Mamman is arrested, as the former minister was absent during sentencing.
The judge directed security agencies, in collaboration with Interpol, to arrest the convict wherever he is found.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of recovered funds, foreign currencies and four properties in Abuja traced to Mamman, while directing him to refund the outstanding balance of the alleged ₦33.8 billion linked to the projects.
The judge held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, describing the evidence against the former minister as “overwhelming.”
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” Justice Omotosho said.
The court also faulted Mamman for failing to leave a positive legacy in the power sector.
“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,” the judge added.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, had earlier been convicted in absentia on May 7.
During proceedings, defence counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court he was unaware of his client’s whereabouts, adding that attempts to reach him through his phone lines were unsuccessful.
