By Gloria Attah
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Power Minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison over the diversion of N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Justice James Omotosho handed down the sentence on Wednesday after convicting Mamman on 12 counts of fraud linked to the mismanagement of funds allocated to the major electricity projects during his tenure between 2019 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The court sentenced the former minister to seven years imprisonment on 10 counts without an option of fine. He was also given three years imprisonment on one count with an option of a N10 million fine and two years imprisonment on another count without an option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ordered that all the jail terms run consecutively rather than concurrently, bringing the total sentence to 75 years.
Mamman, 68, was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court. The judge had earlier found him guilty on May 7 and ordered his arrest when he failed to appear for the judgment.
At Wednesday’s sentencing, the court directed all security agencies, including Interpol, to arrest the former minister wherever he is found. The judge also ruled that the prison term would begin from the day of his arrest.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of all funds and properties recovered from Mamman to the Federal Government. He was also directed to refund the outstanding balance of N22 billion linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru projects.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mamman allegedly worked with ministry officials, private companies, and Bureau de Change operators to divert funds meant for the power projects.
The former minister is also facing another corruption trial at the FCT High Court in Maitama over the alleged diversion of N31 billion tied to the Mambilla Power Project.
