Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over a N33.8 billion money laundering case prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mamman, who was absent during the proceedings, was convicted on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering involving N33,804,830,503.73 linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.
Justice Omotosho had last week found the former minister guilty on all counts filed against him by the EFCC and adjourned for sentencing.
One of the charges stated that Mamman, while serving as Minister of Power in 2019, conspired with ministry officials and private companies to divert and conceal over N33.8 billion released by the Federal Government for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric projects. Another charge accused him of conspiring with one Samson Bitrus to make a cash payment of $665,700 to Mohiba Investment Ltd outside the banking system, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
At the sentencing proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the convict was again absent without any reasonable explanation from his legal team. He urged the court to proceed with sentencing pursuant to Sections 266 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Oyedepo also requested the forfeiture of properties and cash linked to the convict. The assets include two four-bedroom detached apartments located at 93 Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja, and another property at No. 12A and B, Lingo Street, Wuse, Abuja.
The prosecution further sought the forfeiture of various foreign currencies recovered from Mamman’s residence, including $13,890, €19,960, £10,000, 42,390 Jordanian Dinars, R35,000, ₹50,600 and 247 Saudi Riyals.
Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to seven years imprisonment each on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without an option of fine; three years imprisonment on count four with an option of N10 million fine; and two years imprisonment on count five without an option of fine.
The court ruled that the sentences would run consecutively from the date of his arrest, bringing the total jail term to 75 years.
Justice Omotosho also directed national and international security agencies to arrest and hand over the convict to the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The court granted the prosecution’s application for the forfeiture of the Abuja properties and all recovered foreign currencies to the Federal Government.
In addition, the judge ordered Mamman to refund the outstanding balance between the amount already recovered and the remaining sum out of the N22 billion for which he was convicted.
