The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, of fraud involving N33.8 billion.
Judge James Omotosho convicted him on all 12 counts, holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge rebuked the convict for living large as minister, at the expense of Nigerians, saying that his action was part of what kept Nigerians in darkness.
He handed down the verdict on Thursday in the absence of Mr Mamman, who was granted bail and attended his trial from home.
Following a request by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the court issued a warrant for the arrest of the convict. convict’s lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that he had no access to his client since Tuesday, when he received the notice of the judgement.
He said one of the associates of the convict in- formed him that the former minister was unable to attend Thursday’s proceedings because he was sick.
Mr Oyedepo urged the court to issue a warrant for the former minister’s arrest, as the defence failed to pro- vide credible evidence, like a medical report, to back his claim of ill health.
Granting the request, the judge ordered that the state should look for the convict, arrest him and produce him in court for sentencing, having been convicted of the offences brought against him by the anti-graft agency.
Mr Omotosho fixed 13 May for sentencing
Granting the request, the judge ordered that the state should look for the convict, arrest him and produce him in court for sentencing, having been convicted of the offences brought against him by the anti-graft agency.
Mr Omotosho fixed 13 May for sentencing
Court’s findings
In the judgement, Mr Omotosho held that the EFCC proved the amended 12 counts beyond reasonable doubt.
He said, “The prosecution has established that, at least, N22 billion was siphoned by the defendant and his cronies,” the judge said. that “This is sufficient to sustain the charge.”
However, the judge held that the defence failed to rebut the prosecution’s evidence.
He explained that “the defence did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the evidence of the prosecution.”
Mr Omotosho condemned the diversion of funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects and noted that “the sheer greed of the defendant and his comrades in crime is nothing but a downright shameful thing.”
The judge said Mr Mamman occupied a critical office but chose to divert public funds instead of addressing Nigeria’s electricity crisis.
“The defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary Nigerians who had suffered from the consequence of his malfeasance,” the judge said. He explained that the former minister used proxy companies and associates to conceal the transactions.
However, the diligent investigation of the prosecution was able to link him to the said funds Mr Omotosho commended the EFCC for what he described as a detailed and coherent investigation.
Trial background
Mr Mamman served as minister of power between 2019 and 2021, during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former minister recently declared interest in the 2027 Taraba State governor- ship race on the platform of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
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