An Abuja division of the federal High Court, today sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over corruption linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho convicted Mamman on a 12-count charge and ruled that the prison terms would run consecutively, bringing the total sentence to 75 years.
The judge also ordered that the sentence would take effect from the day the convict is arrested.
Justice Omotosho further directed all security agencies to arrest Mamman wherever he may be found.
In addition, the court ordered that all monies and properties recovered from the former minister be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The judge also directed Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the alleged N22 billion linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
In a related development, chairman Ayeni’s bail application, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Apo, today, fixed May 25, 2026, for ruling on the application filed by the detained former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, pending determination of the case against him.
Ayeni was remanded in prison custody on May 4 after he pleaded not guilty to a 17-count charge bordering on his alleged involvement in a N15.665 billion fraud.
The trial Judge, Justice Jude Onwuzuruike had declined the defendant’s plea to be kept in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until his bail application was determined.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Wednesday, counsel to the defendant, Dele Adesina (SAN) who moved the bail application, drew the court’s attention to the fact that his client had previously been admitted to administrative bail by the anti-graft agency prosecuting the matter.
He stressed that the administrative bail was about to be perfected when the court, at the last sitting, gave the remand order.
Besides, the defence lawyer argued that his client enjoyed the constitutional presumption of innocence and that the offences in the charge were bailable.
On his part, EFCC lawyer G. I. Inde urged the court to refuse the defendant’s bail, stating that the prosecution had also filed a 23-paragraph counter-affidavit with an annexed exhibit to show why the defendant should remain in detention.
After listening to both parties, Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned till May 25 for ruling on the bail application.
