Former Nigerian Energy Minister Saleh Mamman Sentenced in Absentia to 75 Years
On 13 May 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a landmark judgment against former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, sentencing him to 75 years imprisonment in absentia for a N33.8 billion money‑laundering and fraud scheme. The ruling, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, concluded a prosecution led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and underscores Nigeria’s continued push to combat high‑level corruption.
Background of the Case
The EFCC first indicted Mamman in July 2024 (suit FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024) on allegations that he conspired to divert funds earmarked for the Mambilla and Tongueru hydroelectric projects. According to the charge sheet, the total amount implicated was N33.8 billion, comprising:
- Illicit transfers of project financing;
- False invoicing and contract manipulation;
- Purchase of luxury assets and foreign‑exchange holdings.
The anti‑graft agency asserted that the funds were moved through a network of shell companies and offshore accounts, a pattern consistent with sophisticated money‑laundering typologies identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Court Proceedings and Conviction
Justice Omotosho presided over a trial that proceeded despite Mamman’s repeated failure to appear. On 7 May 2026, the judge convicted the former minister on all twelve counts after finding that the EFCC had proved its case “beyond reasonable doubt.” The conviction was based on documentary evidence, forensic accounting reports, and witness testimony presented by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
Citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the court held that a conviction in absentia could stand when the accused’s absence was deemed a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice. Justice Omotosho noted that Mamman’s non‑appearance after being duly summoned satisfied this legal threshold.
Sentencing Details
The judge imposed the following terms:
- Seven years imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 (no option of a fine).
- Three years imprisonment with the option of a fine of N10 million on count 4.
- Two years imprisonment without the option of a fine on count 5.
Because the sentences were ordered to run consecutively, the aggregate term totals 75 years. The judgment also directed that:
- All convicted assets—including properties in Abuja, foreign‑exchange holdings, and seized funds—be forfeited to the Federal Government.
- Mamman repay the outstanding N22 billion allegedly diverted from the hydroelectric projects.
- Security agencies, including Interpol, locate and arrest the former minister wherever he may be found, with the sentence commencing from the date of arrest.
Implications for Anti‑Corruption Efforts
Legal experts view the ruling as a significant precedent for prosecuting officials who evade trial by fleeing jurisdiction. Dr. Aisha Bello, a professor of criminal law at the University of Lagos, remarked:
“The court’s willingness to impose a substantial custodial sentence in absentia sends a clear message that evasion will not shield individuals from accountability.”
The EFCC highlighted that the case demonstrates the agency’s capacity to trace complex financial trails and secure convictions even when defendants are non‑cooperative. International partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), have welcomed the judgment as a step toward strengthening Nigeria’s anti‑money‑laundering framework.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Saleh Mamman to 75 years imprisonment marks one of the most severe penalties ever imposed on a former Nigerian minister for financial crimes. While the former official remains at large, the court’s order for his arrest and asset forfeiture reinforces the nation’s resolve to deter grand corruption and recover illicitly acquired wealth. Observers will watch closely how enforcement agencies execute the arrest warrant and whether the recovered funds will be redirected toward the delayed Mambilla and Tongueru hydroelectric projects, which were originally intended to boost Nigeria’s power generation capacity.
