Nigerian Court Sentences Ex-Power Minister Mamman to 75 Years for Fraud

A Federal High Court in Nigeria has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in imprisonment for corruption, money laundering, and fraud. The judgment, delivered by Justice James Omotosho on May 13, 2026, was issued in absentia after Mamman failed to appear, a move the court deemed a deliberate attempt to frustrate justice. The conviction covers 12 counts filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involving the diversion of approximately N33.8 billion intended for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects. The prison terms were ordered to run consecutively, with specific sentences ranging from two to seven years per count. In addition to the jail term, the court ordered the forfeiture of recovered assets, including properties in Abuja, and mandated Mamman to refund the outstanding balance of diverted funds. Security agencies, including Interpol, have been directed to arrest Mamman globally to commence his sentence. This landmark ruling underscores the Nigerian judiciary's stance against high-level graft within the energy sector during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.