By Archie Boan
A Nigerian court has sentenced former Power Minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison after convicting him of laundering 33.8 billion naira ($24.7 million) linked to major government power projects.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment on Wednesday, finding Mamman guilty on all 12 counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to prosecutors, the former minister laundered funds through private companies using money allegedly diverted from hydroelectric projects, including the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Station.
Mamman, who served as power minister in 2019, was sentenced in absentia under Nigerian law. The court also ordered local and international security agencies to arrest him and hand him over to correctional authorities to begin serving his sentence.
The case marks one of the most significant corruption convictions involving a former public official in Nigeria in recent years. The West African nation has long struggled with corruption and misuse of public funds, particularly in the power sector, where electricity shortages continue to affect millions of citizens.
The EFCC said the stolen funds were meant for critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving electricity supply across the country.
