A Landmark Corruption Case and Its Implications
The conviction of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, and the 75-year prison sentence he received has marked one of the most dramatic anti-corruption cases in recent years. This case not only highlights the challenges of combating corruption but also brings to light the systemic issues within Nigeria’s power sector.
The Legal Journey of Saleh Mamman
Saleh Mamman, who served as Minister of Power under President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2024. His legal journey took a dramatic turn when he was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 11, 2024, facing 12 counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering and unlawful diversion of public funds amounting to about N33.8 billion.
The charges against him included allegations that he conspired with other officials and private companies to convert large sums of money through various channels. The EFCC claimed that these funds were meant for critical infrastructure projects such as the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Projects.
The Trial and Evidence Presented
During the trial, prosecutors called multiple witnesses, including bank officials, financial investigators, and bureau de change operators. These witnesses provided bank statements, internal memos, and transaction records that allegedly established a clear money trail linking Mamman to the diversion of billions of naira.
One prosecution witness noted that large cash movements and foreign exchange transactions connected to the case did not follow normal government financial procedures. Another witness explained how funds were converted into dollars through bureau de change before being redistributed to associates and proxy companies.
The prosecution argued that the transactions bore the hallmarks of money laundering, claiming that the diverted funds were part of allocations intended for critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving electricity generation and transmission across Nigeria.
Challenges and Delays in the Trial
The trial faced numerous delays due to procedural applications, filing disputes, and health-related interruptions. At one point, Mamman reportedly slumped inside the courtroom, forcing an abrupt suspension of proceedings. His lawyers also mounted sustained legal resistance against the prosecution’s evidence, challenging the admissibility of several financial documents and arguing that investigators failed to establish direct criminal intent.
The defense maintained that many of the financial transactions cited by the prosecution were administrative disbursements carried out within the framework of government operations. They further argued that Mamman did not personally benefit from the alleged transactions and urged the court to dismiss the charges.
The Conviction and Sentencing
On May 7, 2026, Justice James Omotosho convicted Mamman on all 12 counts. Delivering judgment, the court held that the EFCC had successfully established beyond reasonable doubt that the former minister engaged in unlawful diversion and laundering of public funds. The judge stated that the evidence presented before the court showed a deliberate movement of public funds through private entities and intermediaries designed to conceal the origin of the money.
Following his conviction, Mamman failed to appear before the court for sentencing proceedings. This led to the issuance of a bench warrant ordering security agencies to arrest him wherever he was found. The warrant intensified public interest in the trial, with many Nigerians closely monitoring developments ahead of sentencing.
On May 13, 2026, the Federal High Court proceeded to sentence him in absentia. Justice Omotosho imposed separate prison terms across the 12 counts and ordered that the sentences run consecutively rather than concurrently, resulting in a 75-year prison sentence.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The sentencing immediately dominated public discourse because of its severity. While Nigerian courts frequently impose lengthy sentences across multiple counts in corruption cases, such terms are often ordered to run concurrently, reducing the effective prison period. In Mamman’s case, however, the court chose consecutive sentencing, dramatically increasing the punishment.
The judgment was widely interpreted as one of the toughest anti-corruption sentences imposed on a former federal cabinet member in Nigeria. Anti-corruption campaigners hailed the judgment as a signal that politically exposed persons could still be held accountable under the law.
Beyond the courtroom drama, the case revived broader scrutiny of Nigeria’s troubled electricity sector. For many Nigerians, the Mamman trial became symbolic of deeper systemic failures within public administration and infrastructure management.
As of now, the former minister has remained out of public sight, while security agencies continue efforts to locate and arrest him in compliance with the court order.
