A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to about 70 years in prison in a 12-count amended money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involving N33 billion.
Other News
Justice James Omotosho, who sentenced Mamman on Wednesday, held that the sentencing would run consecutively, implying the sum total.
The judge berated the ex-minister for absconding from court ahead of his sentencing.
What they said
At the sentencing proceedings, the ex-minister was absent despite an earlier notice and arrest warrant issued against him.
EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, cited relevant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to argue that when a convict’s presence has become “undesirable,” the judge can proceed to sentence the person in absentia.
Saleh’s legal representative replied that “he has nothing to say,” maintaining that he had previously informed the judge that he could not directly reach Mamman while requesting more time to produce him.
- He was asked by the judge to confirm whether he still held the brief for the ex-minister, to which he responded in the affirmative.
Having listened to counsel for the state and the ex-minister, Omotosho held that the convict’s counsel had left the issue of sentencing to the discretion of the court, as he had nothing to say.
The judge recalled that at the last adjourned judgement date, the defence lawyer insisted that he did not know the whereabouts of the ex-minister.
According to the judge, the absence of the ex-minister was a deliberate “attempt to arrest” justice.
Omotosho agreed with the EFCC that the presence of an absconded defendant during sentencing does not matter.
- He observed that the convict was aware of the judgment and sentencing date, adding that such behaviour could not be encouraged by the court.
- The judge subsequently sentenced the ex-minister to seven years imprisonment without option of fine each on 10 out of the 12 counts, bringing the total to 70 years.
- The ex-minister received two years and three years imprisonment respectively on the two other counts, with options of fines.
Omotosho held that the sentences would run consecutively, meaning the ex-minister would serve 70 years in jail if he pays the fines attached to the two counts.
The judge also held that the sentence would begin from the day the ex-minister is arrested.
The court ordered every security agency, both local and international, including Interpol, to immediately arrest Mamman wherever he is found.
Furthermore, Omotosho ordered the forfeiture of several properties seized from the ex-minister, as well as foreign currencies recovered from him, to the Federal Government treasury.
The currencies include $13,890, 19,950 euros, 10,000 pounds, 42,390 dirhams, 35,000 South African rand, 50,060 Indian rupees, and 247 Saudi Arabian riyals.
Backstory
The ex-minister, who was absent when the judgment was delivered last week, had previously pleaded not guilty, paving the way for a full trial.
- Delivering his judgment earlier, Justice Omotosho held that the two issues for determination were whether the ex-minister’s right to fair hearing was breached and whether the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
- The judge also held that the ex-minister purchased property in cash beyond the limit stipulated by law.
- He stated that the evidence of the prosecution witnesses “was quite believable,” adding that the ex-minister could not dispute the criminal breach of trust and conspiracy allegations levelled against him by the EFCC.
The judge further noted that the ex-minister had admitted using the illicit funds.
The court concluded that the EFCC had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
However, the judge said the prosecution established that at least N22 billion was diverted by the ex-minister.
He described it as shameful that the ex-minister diverted money meant to address Nigeria’s power challenges.
What you should know
Nairametrics previously reported that former President Muhammadu Buhari relieved the ex-Power Minister of his position in 2021, paving the way for an independent and critical review of his performance.
- Mamman served as Nigeria’s Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021.
- Three years later, the EFCC arraigned him on Thursday, July 11, 2024, accusing him of conspiracy and abuse of office.
- He was alleged to have conspired with other officials of the ministry and some private companies to indirectly divert and convert N33,804,830,503.73 through various private companies, in contravention of relevant laws.
The EFCC legal team stressed that the former official’s actions amounted to criminal breach of trust in relation to funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The court had granted the defendant N10 billion bail with two sureties in like sum.
In April this year, the ex-minister announced that he had officially obtained the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the forthcoming governorship election in Taraba State.
