WorldStage– Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment for diverting ₦33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho convicted Mamman on a 12-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court ordered that the prison terms run consecutively, with the sentence to commence from the date of his arrest.
Justice Omotosho also directed all national and international security agencies to arrest Mamman wherever he is found and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service. The court further ordered the final forfeiture of all recovered funds and properties linked to the former minister to the Federal Government.
In addition, the court ordered Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the ₦22 billion linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
According to a statement by EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the charges against Mamman bordered on conspiracy, money laundering, and illegal cash transactions connected to funds released for the power projects.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that Mamman was again absent without any reasonable explanation from his lawyers. He urged the court to proceed with sentencing in line with Sections 266 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Oyedepo also requested the forfeiture of properties traced to the convict, including two four-bedroom detached apartments located at 93 Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja, and another property at No. 12A and B, Lingo Street, Wuse, Abuja.
The prosecution further sought the forfeiture of various sums of money recovered from Mamman’s residence, including $13,890, €19,960, £10,000, 42,390 Jordanian dinars, R35,000, ₹5,060,000, and 247 Saudi Riyals.
Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to seven years imprisonment each on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 without an option of fine; three years imprisonment on count 4 with an option of a ₦10 million fine; and two years imprisonment on count 5 without an option of fine.
The judge granted the prosecution’s request for the forfeiture of the identified properties and recovered foreign currencies to the Federal Government.
WorldStage– The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment for diverting ₦33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho convicted Mamman on a 12-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court ordered that the prison terms run consecutively, with the sentence to commence from the date of his arrest.
Justice Omotosho also directed all national and international security agencies to arrest Mamman wherever he is found and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service. The court further ordered the final forfeiture of all recovered funds and properties linked to the former minister to the Federal Government.
In addition, the court ordered Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the ₦22 billion linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
According to a statement by EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the charges against Mamman bordered on conspiracy, money laundering, and illegal cash transactions connected to funds released for the power projects.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that Mamman was again absent without any reasonable explanation from his lawyers. He urged the court to proceed with sentencing in line with Sections 266 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Oyedepo also requested the forfeiture of properties traced to the convict, including two four-bedroom detached apartments located at 93 Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja, and another property at No. 12A and B, Lingo Street, Wuse, Abuja.
The prosecution further sought the forfeiture of various sums of money recovered from Mamman’s residence, including $13,890, €19,960, £10,000, 42,390 Jordanian dinars, R35,000, ₹5,060,000, and 247 Saudi Riyals.
Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to seven years imprisonment each on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 without an option of fine; three years imprisonment on count 4 with an option of a ₦10 million fine; and two years imprisonment on count 5 without an option of fine.
The judge granted the prosecution’s request for the forfeiture of the identified properties and recovered foreign currencies to the Federal Government.
