A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a combined 70 years in prison after finding him guilty on a 12-count amended money laundering charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The case involved the laundering of N33 billion.
Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment, ruled that the seven-year prison terms for seven of the counts will run consecutively, with no option for fines. In one count, Mamman was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of N10 million.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of all foreign currencies recovered from Mamman’s residence by the EFCC, in addition to his property.
During the proceedings, Justice Omotosho criticized the former minister for failing to appear in court to hear his sentence. The judge instructed national and international security agencies to ensure his immediate arrest if he attempts to evade detention.
The verdict marks a significant milestone in the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat high-level corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria.
