The former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman have been sentenced for 75 years in imprison byv the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday over a ₦33.8 billion fraud linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Saleh Mamaman was sentenced after the court found him guilty on all the 12 counts followed a trial instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, which accused the former minister of conspiring with ministry officials and private companies to divert approximately ₦33.8 billion earmarked for the two major power projects.
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, ordered that the various prison terms imposed on each count should run consecutively, bringing the total sentence to 75 years. The judge also directed that the sentence should begin to run from the date the convict is arrested, as Mamman was sentenced in absentia.
The court further ordered all security agencies to arrest Mamman wherever he is found. Justice Omotosho also ruled that all monies and properties recovered from the former minister be forfeited to the Federal Government.
In addition, the court ordered Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the ₦22 billion traced to funds meant for the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project.
Mamman was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 11, 2024, on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. During the trial, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits in support of its case.
After the prosecution closed its case, Mamman filed a no-case submission on November 19, 2025, arguing that the evidence presented by the EFCC was insufficient to require him to enter a defence. However, in a ruling delivered on December 11, 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.
