Former Power Minister Mamman Saleh sentenced to 75 years in prison for fraud

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A former Minister of Power, Mamman Saleh, was sentenced on Wednesday to 75 years’ imprisonment for money‑laundering and fraud involving N33.8 billion.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, imposed seven years for each of ten counts, three years for count four and two years for count five.

The judge ordered the sentences to run consecutively and ruled that no fine may be imposed, except for count four, which carries a N10 million fine.

Omotosho directed all security agencies to arrest Saleh wherever he is found and stated that the jail term will commence on the day of his apprehension.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from the defendant, together with four prime properties in Abuja linked to Saleh, and required him to repay the outstanding balance of the alleged N22 billion associated with the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.

Last week, the court found the former minister, who served during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, guilty of fraud relating to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.

On May 7, Omotosho issued a warrant for Saleh’s arrest and instructed that he be brought before the court for sentencing on the next adjourned date.

The former minister was arraigned in July 2024 on charges of money‑laundering and conspiracy with ministry officials and private companies to “indirectly convert” N33.8 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

Saleh pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Director of Public Prosecutions, called 17 prosecution witnesses.

The commission also submitted 43 exhibits against the defendant before closing its case.

Through his counsel Femi Atteh, SAN, Saleh did not call any