Saleh Mamman was convicted in absentia on 12 counts of laundering funds meant for major hydroelectric power projects

A Nigerian court has sentenced in absentia former Power Minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison after finding him guilty of laundering more than 33.8 billion naira (about $21 million) in funds linked to major state-backed power projects.

Abuja Federal High Court judge James Omotosho handed down the sentence on Wednesday, according to the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mamman, who is currently a fugitive, was convicted last week on 12 counts of money laundering.

Mamman's whereabouts remain unclear. His lawyer reportedly told the court last week that he had been unable to reach him, while an aide later claimed the former minister was ill.

"Justice Omotosho ordered all national and international security agencies to arrest and hand over the convict to the Nigerian Correctional center," the anti-graft agency said in astatement.

The EFCC said Mamman had conspired with ministry officials and private companies to convert 33.8 billion naira released for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects. The Mambilla and Zungeru projects are large hydroelectric schemes meant to boost Nigeria's chronically unreliable electricity supply, with planned capacities of 3,050MW and 700MW, respectively.

The commission said the court imposed seven-year terms on ten counts, a three-year term with an option of a 10 million-naira fine on one count, and a two-year term on another count, with the sentences to run consecutively from the date of his arrest.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of properties in Abuja and foreign currency recovered from Mamman's residence, including dollars, euros and pounds, according to the EFCC. It further ordered him to refund the outstanding balance from the 22 billion naira for which he was found guilty.

Mamman, a politician from Taraba State, became power minister in August 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. He left office in September 2021, when Buhari reshuffled his cabinet and replaced him with Abubakar Aliyu, then minister of state for works and housing. Mamman currently holds no government position.

The case adds to a series of high-profile corruption proceedings involving officials from the West African nation. Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke is standing trial in London on bribery charges linked to her tenure from 2010 to 2015, allegations she denies. US authorities also returned $52.88 million in assets to Nigeria last year, saying the funds were linked to corruption involving the former oil minister.

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Nigeria has also pursued other senior figures in recent years. Former Accountant-General Ahmed Idris is facing trial over an alleged 109-billion-naira fraud, while former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu was suspended in 2024 after allegations involving public funds. Edu has denied wrongdoing.

(RT.com)