Former Nigerian Power Minister Sentenced to 75 Years for $24.7M Fraud Scandal

_{Photo credit: Mukhtar Shuaib Mukhtar / Pexels}

A Nigerian federal court has sentenced the former minister of power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison after convicting him of laundering 33.8 billion naira (approx. $24.7 million), in a major fraud case linked to government-funded power plants.

Mamman has also been ordered to repay 22 billion naira (approx. $16 million). Part of a general anti-corruption campaign against former government officials, the case is especially notable as convictions against corrupt administrators in Nigeria have been described as “rare.”

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts brought by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including laundering money for essential power plants using private companies. The EFCC is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes like fraud and money laundering. 

Despite recently announcing plans on Facebook to run for Taraba State governor in the 2027 elections, Mamman was sentenced in absentia and has been “without trace” since conviction. The court subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest to begin serving the sentence.

Prosecutors said the money represented proceeds of unlawful activity connected to government-financed hydroelectric projects.

Mamman served as Nigeria’s minister of power under President Muhammadu Buhari from August 21, 2019, until he was relieved of his position in a cabinet reshuffle on September 1, 2021.

The case has led to outrage as Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest producers of energy, continues to face widespread electricity shortages and blackouts despite public investment in power infrastructure.