Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has been sentenced to 75 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court over a massive corruption scandal linked to hydroelectric power projects in Nigeria.
The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, marks one of the most significant corruption convictions involving a former cabinet member in recent years. The court found the ex-minister guilty on multiple counts bordering on money laundering, diversion of public funds, and abuse of office during his tenure as Minister of Power.
According to court proceedings, the funds were allegedly diverted from projects meant for the development and improvement of hydroelectric power infrastructure across the country. Prosecutors revealed that billions of naira allocated for critical electricity projects were mismanaged and unlawfully transferred through suspicious transactions tied to the former minister and his associates.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier accused Mamman of laundering huge sums of money meant for government power projects. Investigators said the fraudulent activities affected the execution of major electricity initiatives intended to boost power supply and improve energy access for millions of Nigerians.
During the trial, the prosecution presented several witnesses, financial records, and transaction documents which the court accepted as evidence of corruption and financial misconduct. The judge ruled that the evidence clearly established that public resources were diverted for personal gain.
Although the total prison terms across the various charges amounted to 75 years, legal analysts say some of the sentences may run concurrently, meaning the former minister may not spend the full combined years behind bars.
The ruling has generated widespread reactions across Nigeria, with many citizens describing the verdict as a strong signal in the fight against corruption. Others, however, questioned whether the conviction would lead to broader accountability among public officials involved in financial crimes.
The case also reignites concerns over the long-standing challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector, where billions of naira have reportedly been spent over the years with little improvement in electricity supply.
Observers believe the judgment could become a landmark case in Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign, especially as authorities continue to intensify efforts to recover looted public funds and prosecute high-profile officials accused of corruption.