The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced former Nigerian Energy Minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison on May 13, 2026, in a case of fraud and money laundering involving 33.8 billion nairas (approximately 24.7 million dollars). The sentence was handed down after his conviction on May 7 on 12 charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges relate to funds intended for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects.
Judge James Omotosho ordered that the sentences be served consecutively, not concurrently. According to court records, most charges resulted in seven-year prison terms without the possibility of a fine. The fourth charge was punished with three years in prison and a fine of 10 million nairas, while the fifth charge led to a two-year prison sentence without the option of a fine.
A two-stage conviction, against the backdrop of an arrest warrant
Saleh Mamman was tried and convicted in absentia. After his guilty plea on May 7, the court had already issued an arrest warrant. When the sentence was handed down on May 13, the court also ordered security services to arrest him and hand him over to the Nigerian prison administration; according to Punch, this instruction also involves Interpol. The sentence will only begin to be served upon his arrest.
The court decision also includes asset recovery measures. The court ordered the permanent confiscation of recovered funds, currencies, and real estate linked to the convict in Abuja. It also requested the repayment of the remaining 22 billion nairas that the prosecution was able to establish as having been embezzled. During the trial, the EFCC presented 43 pieces of evidence and heard from 17 witnesses.
Former Energy Minister from 2019 to 2021 under the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari, Saleh Mamman was charged in July 2024 with money laundering and conspiracy. The judge found that the prosecution had demonstrated that at least 22 billion nairas had been siphoned off through a scheme involving relatives, ministry officials, and private companies.
