A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Power Minister, Saleh Mamman, to about 70 years in prison over a N33 billion fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding Mamman guilty in a 12-count amended charge bordering on money laundering.
According to the court, the former minister was found guilty of illegally diverting and laundering billions of naira meant for government projects while serving as Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The judge sentenced Mamman to seven years imprisonment on several of the charges and ruled that the jail terms would run consecutively, meaning one after another, instead of at the same time.
This brought the total prison term to about 70 years, with no option of fine for most of the counts.
However, on one of the charges, the court sentenced him to three years imprisonment with an option of a N10 million fine.
Justice Omotosho also criticised the former minister for failing to appear in court for his sentencing, describing his action as an attempt to evade justice.
The judge subsequently ordered national and international security agencies to arrest him wherever he is found.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of all foreign currencies, landed properties, and other assets recovered from Mamman’s residence during investigations conducted by the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency had accused the former minister of laundering over N33 billion through different accounts and associates during his time in office.
The case is regarded as one of the biggest corruption trials involving a former cabinet member in recent years.
More details are expected to emerge as the EFCC and legal representatives react to the judgment.
