A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count charge of money laundering involving the alleged diversion of about ₦33.8 billion in public funds, in a judgment that has once again placed Nigeria’s public finance management under intense scrutiny. The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho, who held that the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.
The case, which has been closely followed due to its scale and the high-profile position of the defendant, centres on allegations that Mamman abused his office while serving as Minister of Power by facilitating the diversion and laundering of funds earmarked for critical national electricity projects. In his judgment, Justice Omotosho described the conduct of the former minister in strong terms, stating that the evidence before the court showed a pattern of financial misconduct that contributed negatively to Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with unstable electricity supply.
The judge held that rather than channeling public resources into improving power infrastructure, the defendant allegedly lived a lavish lifestyle while millions of Nigerians continued to suffer from persistent power shortages. According to the court, such actions undermined national development efforts and worsened public frustration over the country’s inability to resolve its electricity challenges despite repeated government interventions and budgetary allocations.
The court further noted that public office holders are trustees of national resources and are expected to act in the interest of citizens, especially in critical sectors such as power generation and distribution. Justice Omotosho, however, did not proceed immediately to sentencing, as the former minister was absent from court during the proceedings. The judge subsequently suspended sentencing until May 12, explaining that the court would need to reconvene to conclude the process in line with due legal procedures.
Mamman’s absence was explained by his counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, who told the court that he had been unable to reach his client since Tuesday when he was informed of the judgment date. The defence lawyer requested clarification from the court on how to proceed in light of his inability to access his client. Despite the absence, the court proceeded with its ruling, having earlier evaluated the evidence presented by the anti-corruption agency during the course of the trial.
The EFCC had accused the former minister of orchestrating a complex financial scheme involving the misappropriation of public funds intended for power sector projects, with the alleged funds traced to various accounts and individuals linked to the former minister’s office and associates. Throughout the trial, the prosecution maintained that the accused used his position of authority to influence contract awards and payment processes in ways that facilitated the unlawful diversion of government resources.
The case is one of several high-profile corruption trials involving former public officials in Nigeria, reflecting ongoing efforts by anti-graft agencies to address financial misconduct in the public sector. Over the years, the power sector has remained one of the most heavily scrutinised areas of government expenditure, with billions of naira allocated for infrastructure development, grid expansion and electricity reform initiatives, yet with limited improvement in supply reliability.
Justice Omotosho’s remarks during the judgment underscored the broader public impact of corruption in critical sectors, linking financial misconduct to systemic failures that continue to affect economic growth, industrial productivity and quality of life for citizens. The court’s decision has already generated significant public reaction, with many observers describing it as a landmark moment in the fight against corruption, while others await the final sentencing phase to determine the full legal consequences for the former minister.
With sentencing now scheduled for May 12, attention remains focused on how the court will conclude the case and what implications it may have for accountability in Nigeria’s public service. For now, the conviction marks a major development in one of the country’s long-running anti-corruption prosecutions, reinforcing judicial scrutiny over the management of public funds and the responsibilities of those entrusted with national office.
