A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in a 12-count amended money laundering case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission involving N33 billion.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday and adjourned sentencing to a later date.
Mamman, who was absent when the judgment was delivered, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to a full trial.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho said the key issues for determination were whether the defendant’s right to a fair hearing had been breached and whether the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The defence had argued that Mamman’s right to a fair hearing was violated after the court declined an application to recall the second prosecution witness, who had already been cross-examined.
However, the judge dismissed the argument, describing the move as an unusual procedure aimed at discrediting the prosecution’s evidence.
“This attempt to recall a witness who has been duly cross-examined by the defence is, without doubt, a strange procedure,” the judge held, resolving the issue in favour of the prosecution.
On the amended charges, Justice Omotosho ruled that the prosecution was legally empowered to amend its charges before judgment and did not require prior leave of court to do so.
The court also noted that the former minister failed to call any witness in defence or rebut the prosecution’s evidence.
“Consequently, this court holds that the prosecution has established counts one to four of the charge, and the defendant is convicted,” the judge declared.
Justice Omotosho further held that Mamman purchased property in cash beyond the legal limit permitted under Nigerian law and found the testimonies of prosecution witnesses credible and convincing.
The judge said the former minister failed to successfully challenge allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy brought against him by the EFCC, adding that evidence before the court showed he admitted using illicitly obtained funds.
The court concluded that the anti-graft agency had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and established that at least N22 billion was diverted by the former minister.
Justice Omotosho described the diversion of funds meant for critical power projects as shameful, noting that the money was intended to address Nigeria’s longstanding electricity challenges.
Mamman was arraigned by the EFCC on July 11, 2024, over allegations that he conspired with ministry officials and private companies to divert N33,804,830,503.73 through multiple firms.
The commission alleged that the funds were part of allocations for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Projects and that their diversion amounted to conspiracy, abuse of office, and criminal breach of trust.
The former minister, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021, was removed from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 amid allegations of financial misconduct.
He was subsequently arrested by the EFCC on May 10, 2021, as investigations into his tenure commenced.
Earlier this year, Mamman also declared his intention to contest the forthcoming governorship election in Taraba State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
