Former Power Minister Saleh Mamman Convicted on Fraud and Money‑Laundering Charges
On May 7 2026, Vanguardngr.com reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja found Saleh Mamman, Nigeria’s former Minister of Power under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, guilty on twelve counts of fraud and money‑laundering. The judgment, delivered by Justice James Omotoshō, stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proved the allegations “beyond reasonable doubt.”
Case Overview
The EFCC’s investigation traced the alleged misconduct to the period shortly after Mamman’s removal from office in early 2021. According to the commission, public funds earmarked for major electricity‑generation projects were diverted for personal gain.
- Amount implicated: approximately £33.8 billion (roughly ₦20 trillion) allocated to the Mambilla and Tongueru hydropower schemes.
- Alleged method: cash withdrawals through Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, conversion to foreign currency, and subsequent transfer to Mamman’s personal accounts.
- Specific transaction highlighted in court: a US $655,700 (about ₦200 million) payment for an Abuja property made without using any formal banking channel.
Court Findings
Justice Omotosho criticised the defence as “sparse and almost non‑existent,” noting that Mamman failed to present credible evidence to counter the prosecution’s case. The judge emphasized that the former minister’s actions prioritised personal wealth over national development, stating:
“Instead of leaving a legacy to address the epileptic power supply problem in the country, the accused lived at the expense of ordinary citizens. No wonder Nigerians have remained in the dark to date.”
The verdict was delivered in Mamman’s absence; consequently, the court postponed sentencing and the EFCC filed an application for an arrest warrant.
Context and Implications
Saleh Mamman served as Minister of Power from August 2019 until his sacking in July 2021. His tenure coincided with ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector, including chronic under‑investment, transmission losses, and reliance on costly diesel generators. Anti‑corruption watchdogs have repeatedly pointed to procurement irregularities in power‑sector contracts as a persistent issue.
The EFCC, established in 2003, has pursued numerous high‑profile cases involving public officials. Legal experts note that convictions of former ministers are relatively rare, making this outcome noteworthy if substantiated.
Verification and Sources
The information presented here is based on the report published by Vanguardngr.com on May 7 2026. As of the knowledge cutoff in June 2024, independent verification of this specific conviction could not be located in publicly accessible EFCC press releases, court records, or major international news outlets. Readers are advised to consult official EFCC announcements or reputable news agencies for the most current and confirmed details.
For further reading on Nigeria’s power‑sector governance and anti‑corruption efforts, consider the following resources:
- EFCC Annual Report 2023 – efccnigeria.org/efcc-reports
- World Bank – Nigeria Power Sector Recovery Program (PSRP) – projects.worldbank.org/P165432
- Transparency International – Corruption Perceptions Index: Nigeria – transparency.org/en/cpi/2023/index/nga
