By Vivian Okejeme
The federal high court, Abuja, Thursday, convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman over unlawful diversion of public funds amounting to about ₦33.8 billion.
Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the ex power boss on a 12 count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution successfully proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
When the matter was called for judgement, Mamman was absent in court.
Consequently, Justice Omotosho postponed sentencing, to May 13.
Therefore, the EFCC requested that a warrant be issued for his arrest which was granted to them.
Mamman, was convicted over the unlawful diversion of public funds amounting to about ₦33.8 billion.
The court further held that the former minister who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a property in Abuja without using a financial institution.
He was also found guilty of criminal breach of trust linked to funds allocated by the federal government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
According to the court, a large portion of the funds was allegedly routed through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currencies and handed it over to the defendant.
In the judgement, the judge held, “The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant.
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
The judge criticised the former minister for failing to leave a positive legacy in the power sector.
“Rather than creating a legacy to tackle the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary citizens.
“Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” the judge added.
Reacting to the convict’s absence in court, counsel to the defence, Mohammed Ahmed, informed the court that the defendant’s whereabouts had been unknown since Tuesday, when notice of the judgment date was issued, adding that the defendant’s personal assistant later claimed he was ill.
Efforts by the defence to secure a postponement of the judgment were unsuccessful.
Justice Omotosho referenced media reports indicating that Mamman had recently participated in political activities, including the purchase of a governorship nomination form in Taraba State.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to continue with the proceedings, insisting there was no valid reason for the defendant’s absence.
“My Lord should go ahead. If the judgment is in his favour, we know what to do. If it is against him, we also know what to do,” the prosecutor said.
Recall that Mamman was arrested in 2021, few months after he was removed from office by former President Buhari.
During the trial, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Mamman conspired with officials of the ministry to divert about ₦22 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects.
The prosecution claimed that the diverted funds were used to acquire high-value assets both within and outside Nigeria.
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