Nigerian Court Sentences Former Power Minister to 75 Years for Money Laundering

Mintesinot Niggusie

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Wednesday that a Nigerian court has sentenced former power minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison after convicting him of laundering 33.8 billion naira (24.71 million US dollars).

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts filed by the EFCC. The charges centred on allegations that he laundered funds through private companies linked to government-financed hydroelectric projects, including the Mambilla and Zungeru power plants.

The court ruled that Mamman be sentenced in absentia and ordered Nigerian and international security agencies to arrest him. The EFCC said the funds in question were tied to public infrastructure projects in the power sector, an area long associated with corruption allegations.

The case is part of broader prosecutions by the agency, which is responsible for investigating financial crimes in Africa’s most populous country. The sentence reflects a hardening stance against high-level corruption in Nigeria's public administration.

Saleh Mamman served as Nigeria's Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 before being removed during a cabinet reshuffle.