A high Court in Nigeria has sentenced former Power minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison after finding him guilty of laundering 33.8 billion naira linked to Government-funded power projects.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2021, was convicted on 12 counts, including using private companies to divert public funds meant for power plant projects. The sentencing was delivered in absentia on Wednesday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the former minister had gone missing following his conviction last week.
An Abuja high Court had earlier issued a warrant for his arrest on Monday, May 11. The Court also ordered Mamman to repay 22 billion naira as part of the ruling.
Just weeks before the sentencing, Mamman had announced plans to contest the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State on the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
His conviction forms part of a broader anti-corruption campaign targeting former government officials. Other investigations by the EFCC have involved former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami and former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq, both of whom have denied wrongdoing.
The case has renewed criticism over Nigeria’s long-standing electricity crisis, which persisted during Mamman’s tenure despite government promises to improve power supply. Millions of Nigerians continue to endure frequent blackouts, forcing many households and businesses to rely on costly fuel-powered generators.