A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison after finding him guilty of money laundering and diversion of public funds linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on May 13, 2026, following Mamman’s conviction on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges involved approximately ₦33.8 billion allegedly laundered through private companies and associates using funds connected to the Federal Government’s major hydroelectric projects.
According to the EFCC, the prosecution established that Mamman conspired with ministry officials and private companies to divert funds earmarked for electricity infrastructure development.
Court Explains 75-Year Prison Sentence
The court sentenced Mamman to seven years’ imprisonment on each of 10 counts, three years on another count, with an option of a ₦10 million fine, and two years on the remaining count.
Justice Omotosho ordered the sentences to run consecutively, bringing the total prison term to 75 years.
The court also directed the forfeiture of recovered properties, foreign currencies and other assets linked to the offences to the Federal Government.
It further ordered the former minister to refund the outstanding balance of the funds established to have been diverted.
EFCC Arrests Former Minister in Kaduna
Mamman, who served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court.
Following the judgment, security agencies, including international law enforcement authorities, were directed to ensure his arrest and transfer to the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The EFCC subsequently announced his arrest in Kaduna State on May 19, 2026, after weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
Speaking after the arrest, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the commission was determined to ensure that individuals convicted of financial crimes faced the consequences of their actions.
Zungeru and Mambilla Projects at Centre of Case
The case has renewed attention on the management of public funds allocated to Nigeria’s major power infrastructure projects, particularly the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric schemes.
Both projects are expected to contribute to the country’s electricity generation capacity.
Mamman’s conviction and subsequent arrest mark a significant development in the EFCC’s prosecution of high-profile financial crime cases involving former public officials.
