The federal high court in Abuja on Thursday convicted Saleh Mamman, the former minister of power over allegations bordering on money laundering offences to the tune of N33. 8 billion.
Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment in Mamman’s absence, found the former minister guilty on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest and directed the EFCC to produce him before the court on May 13 for sentencing.
Shortly after the conviction, Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC counsel urged the court to issue an arrest warrant, citing provisions of the administration of criminal justice act.
“We are very grateful my lord for the well delivered judgment,” Oyedepo said.
“Section 352 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, particularly Sub 5, talks about the power of the honourable court to impose sentence when a defendant is arrested or surrendered himself to court.
“We therefore ask for arrest warrant and a date for sentencing my lord.”
Mamman’s lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, however, pleaded for an adjournment to enable his client present himself before the court.
But Justice Omotosho rejected the request, saying the court could not continue to delay proceedings indefinitely.
“I delivered the judgment because you said you didn’t know how long it will take you to get the defendant and the court cannot continue to wait.
“This is an attempt to arrest the judgment.
“It is an attempt by counsel to arrest the judgment which the court will not fall into,” the judge said.
When asked whether he could reach his client, Ahmed told the court he would contact Mamman’s personal assistant.
“We will do our possible best to inform his P.A. my lord,” he said.
Reacting, the judge queried: “So you don’t have access to him? And you want the court to adjourn until when?”
Oyedepo maintained that the defence had clearly indicated it could not produce the former minister.
“Therefore, we will be asking for his arrest warrant. The defendant is now a convict my lord and we urge your lordship to issue the arrest warrant,” he added.
In the judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution had proved the charges against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
“The prosecution has established that, at least, N22 billion naira was siphoned by the defendant and his cronies.
“This is sufficient to sustain the charge. Consequently, the defendant is hereby convicted of Count 1 of the charge,” the judge ruled.
He added that the defence failed to provide credible evidence to counter the prosecution’s case.
“The defence did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the evidence of the prosecution.
“Upon the unchallenged evidence of the prosecution, the court hereby convicts the defendant of Count 1 of the charge.”
Justice Omotosho strongly criticised the diversion of funds meant for critical power projects, including the Zungeru and Mambila Hydroelectric Power projects.
“The sheer greed of the defendant and his comrades in crime is nothing but a downright shameful thing,” he said.
“For defendant, who held a critical position such as Ministry of Power, rather than being concerned with creating a legacy of solving the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant began siphoning and converting monies for serious projects into private pockets.
“The defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary Nigerians who had suffered from the consequence of his malfeasance.
“Little wonder that Nigeria has remained in darkness now.”
The judge also commended the EFCC for what he described as a detailed and diligent investigation.
“This court must salute the detailed nature of the investigation carried out in this matter and for presenting a coherent and cogent case against the defendant,” he said.
Mamman served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 and had recently declared interest in the 2027 Taraba governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
The EFCC arraigned the former minister in July 2024 on allegations of conspiracy and money laundering involving N33.8 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and mambila hydroelectric power projects.
During the trial, the anti-graft agency called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits in support of its case.
The court heard evidence from several witnesses, including Bureau De Change operator Abdullahi Suleman, identified as PW-9, who testified about transactions linked to companies associated with the former minister.
Justice Omotosho noted that the witness told the court that the transactions, which allegedly began in 2019, involved approximately N22 billion.
The judge also referred to testimony from Misbahu Idris, Mamman’s former personal assistant identified as PW-10, who testified that he acted on instructions connected to financial transactions involving the defendant.
According to the court, the prosecution successfully linked the former minister to the movement and diversion of funds through proxy companies and associates.
Although the court noted that the exact N33.8 billion figure was not fully established, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution had sufficiently proved the essential elements of the offences beyond reasonable doubt.
🚨BREAKING: Watch The Video Clip Here ➤
