Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has been sentenced to 75 years’ imprisonment over money laundering involving ₦33,804,830,503.73.
Mamman was convicted by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mamman, who was absent from court, was prosecuted on money laundering charges.
Justice Omotosho convicted him last week on all the 12-count charges filed by the EFCC but postponed sentencing until Wednesday.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you, SALEH MAMMAN {Male), sometime in 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, whilst you were the Minister of Power conspired with other officials of your Ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of ₦33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, and Seventy-Three Kobo) through various private companies which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit: criminal breach of trust in relation to the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria; and you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 {as Amended), and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
Count two reads: “That you, SALEH MAMMAN (Male), sometime in December 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired with SAMSON BITRUS to make a cash payment of US$665, 700:00 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand and Seven Hundred United States Dollars) to MOHIBA INVESTMENT LTD (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution, and that you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended), and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the convict was again absent and that no reasonable explanation had been provided by his lawyers regarding his whereabouts. Oyedepo urged the court to proceed with sentencing in his absence, citing Sections 266 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which provide guidelines for such situations.
He also asked the court to order the forfeiture of properties linked to the convict to the Federal Government, including two units of four-bedroom detached apartments at 93 Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja, and a property located at Nos. 12A and 12B, Lingo Street, Wuse, Abuja.
Oyedepo further requested the forfeiture of cash recovered from Mamman’s residence, including $13,890, €19,960, £10,000, 42,390 Doran, R35,000, ₹506,000, and 247 Saudi Arabia Riyals. He also urged the court to order the convict to refund the balance of the ₦22 billion for which he was found guilty.
Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to a total of 75 years’ imprisonment — seven years each on Counts 1, 2, 3, and 6 to 12 without the option of a fine; three years on Count 4 with an option of a ₦10 million fine; and two years on Count 5 without the option of a fine. The judge ordered that the sentences run consecutively from the date of Mamman’s arrest.
Justice Omotosho also directed all national and international security agencies to arrest and hand over the convict to the Nigerian Correctional Service.
