By Anthony Otaru, Abuja
A former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has been convicted of diverting ₦33.8 billion linked to federal power projects.
This came as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured an interim forfeiture order on nine properties allegedly linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday found Mamman guilty of 12 counts of fraud and money laundering.
The judge held that the EFCC established the former minister’s culpability “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” Justice Omotosho ruled.
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” he added.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was convicted for illegally diverting funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
The court found that the former minister made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a property in Abuja without routing the transaction through a financial institution.
Justice Omotosho further held that substantial amounts were siphoned through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the funds into foreign currencies and delivered them to the defendant.
The judge criticised Mamman’s stewardship in the power sector, saying public resources meant to improve electricity supply were mismanaged.
“Rather than creating a legacy to tackle the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary citizens,” the judge said.
“Little wonder Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” he added.
Mamman was absent from court during the delivery of the judgment.
His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that the former minister’s whereabouts had remained unknown since the judgment date was communicated last Tuesday.
Ahmed said Mamman’s personal assistant later informed him that the ex-minister was ill and appealed for a postponement of the judgment.
However, Justice Omotosho rejected the request, citing reports that the defendant had recently participated in political activities, including the purchase of a governorship nomination form in Taraba State.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to proceed with the matter.
“My Lord should go ahead. If the judgment is in his favour, we know what to do. If it is against him, we also know what to do,” Oyedepo said.
Following the conviction, the court granted the EFCC’s application for a warrant of arrest against Mamman and fixed May 13, 2026, for sentencing.
Mamman was arrested in 2021, months after he was removed from office by Buhari. During the trial, the EFCC presented 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits.
The commission alleged that about ₦22 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects was diverted and used to acquire luxury assets within and outside Nigeria.
*EFCC secures interim forfeiture of nine Abuja assets linked to Timipre Sylva
Meanwhile, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties allegedly linked to Sylva.
The order followed an ex parte application filed by the EFCC, which argued that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Egwuatu directed that the assets be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the determination of a motion for final forfeiture.
The judge also ordered that the interim forfeiture notice be published in at least two national newspapers within seven days, inviting interested parties to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
The matter was adjourned until May 25 for a compliance report.
The affected properties are located in highbrow areas of Abuja, including Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Mpape and Dakibiyu, and comprise duplexes, office complexes, terraces and blocks of flats.
Counsel to the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that investigations showed the properties were suspected to have been acquired through unlawful activities.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has not been formally charged in connection with the forfeiture proceedings.
