Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced former Minister of Power under the Buhari administration, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison for his role in the diversion of about ₦33.8 billion in public funds.
Delivering judgment on Thursday in a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the court found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts of fraud and money laundering brought against him.
Justice Omotosho imposed seven-year sentences on each of 10 counts, and three years and two years respectively on counts four and five. The sentences are to run consecutively, effectively amounting to 75 years in prison.
The court also ordered that he serve the terms without an option of fine, except on count four, where a ₦10 million fine was imposed.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of recovered foreign currencies and four properties in Abuja traced to the former minister.
Mamman was earlier convicted in absentia on May 7 after the court held that the EFCC had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
He was found guilty of making a cash payment of $655,700 (about ₦200 million) for Abuja property without using a financial institution, as well as engaging in criminal breach of trust involving funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Projects.
The court noted that much of the diverted funds were routed through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the cash into foreign currency and delivered it to him.
