₦airaland Forum

A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman on a 12-count charge of money laundering in which he is accused of diverting about N33.8billion public funds.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgement on Thursday, held that the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) effectively prove its case against Mamman beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

Justice Omotosho came down hard on Mamman for living large when he was Minister at the expense of Nigerians, noting that his action contributed to the country’s inability to overcome its power supply challenge. advertisement The judge said,

“The prosecution has established that, at least, N22 billion naira was siphoned by the defendant and his cronies.”

He held that Mamman’s conduct of diverting funds meant for other purposes such as the Zungeru and Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project to his own use was quite unfortunate.

Justice Omotosho said, “The sheer greed of the defendant and his comrades in crime is nothing but a downright shameful thing.

“For defendant, who held a critical position such as Ministry of Power, rather than being concerned with creating a legacy of solving the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant began siphoning and converting monies for serious projects into private pockets.

“The defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary Nigerians who had suffered from the consequence of his malfeasance. Little wonder that Nigeria has remained in darkness now.

“I must say the defendant was ingenious in trying to hide his involvement by using proxy companies and accomplices to pick the funds for him.

“However, the diligent investigation of the prosecution was able to link him to the said funds.

“This court must salute the detailed nature of the investigation carried out in this matter and for presenting a coherent and cogent case against the defendant.

“The defendant on the other hand is condemned for greedily converting public funds to his own use. In the final analysis, the prosecution has established the 12-count charge against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

“Consequently, he is hereby convicted as charged,” the judge held.

Justice Omotosho suspended the sentencing aspect of the judgment till May 13 because, as against the standard practice, the ex-minister stayed away from Thursday’s court season.

His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed told the court that he had no access to his client since Tuesday when the notice of the judgement got to him.

Ahmed said one of the associates of the convict informed him that the former minister is sick, which informed why he was absent in court.

Lawyer to the prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) faulted Ahmed’s claiming, noting that defence lawyer failed to provide evidence to support his claim that the convict was ill.

Oyedepo then proceeded to pray the court to issue a bench warrant for the ex- minister’s arrest. advertisement Before issuing the arrest warrant.

Justice Omotosho referenced news items indicating that the defendant had been actively involved in political activities, having purchased a form to contest the governorship election in Taraba State.

The judge ordered the state to search for the convict, arrest him and produce him in court on May 13 for sentencing, having been convicted of the offenses for which he was charged.

Mamman was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

The prosecution called 17 witnesses, who testified before the court and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case.

Mamman was among others, accused of conspiring with staff members of the Ministry of Power to divert about ₦22bn that was meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

The anti-graft agency said its investigations revealed that Mamman and others used the funds to acquire choice assets, both within and outside the country.

Pakute:
•Orders his arrest for not attending coun

•Schedules sentencing for May 13

Mamman was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

https://thenationonlineng.net/updated-court-convicts-ex-power-minister-saleh-mamman-over-n33-8bn-fraud/

FreeStuffsNG:
This was what GEJ failed to do with Diezani and co. because they were from his region and religion.

GEJ's tenue was truly the locust years in our annals.

WizardOfNG:
This dude was Federal minister of power of Nigeria
2019–2021 under Buhari. He was busy stealing and never did anything productive. Same as was the case under GEJ.

We all known non cost-reflective tariffs and the huge debt GEJ and Buhari owed GENCOs and DISCOs, trillions, are two of the main problems preventing adequate power supply today.

Adelabu is the only power Minister to attempt putting in place gradual removal of subsidy in the power sector, with banding, that will address the issue of non cost-reflective tariffs that has prevented the privatised Nigerian power sector attracting foreign investor cash that can transform our power sector for the better immensely.

Tinubu has just put together a 3.3 trillio Naira package to pay debts GEJ and Buhari owed GENCOs and DISCOs.

Yet any sane and fairly intelligent person can believe Atiku and Obi fans claiming Adelabu is "Minister of darkness" and Tinubu has failed in the power sector?

What should be the conclusion regarding the failure of GEJ and Buhari if Nigerians are not a weapon fashioned against themselves?

Regional autonomy is the way abeg because when a solutions provider arrives, clearly making moves not seen before to solve the crazy problems others have caused, and Nigerians can only tag that leader a failure then it is clear we should all go and lead ourselves in our geopolitical zones independently.

DeLaRue:
He is in for a long jail term.

The judge is clearly very displeased with him.

He will be somewhere regretting his life now, unless he has fled the country.

And the government will recover most of his assets and ruin him financially.

He has also ruined his family name. What do people like this tell their children in this type of situation. Kids, I am a bloody thief?

In the end, what has he gained.

manuelkel:
What a long epistle 😂😂 just to mention Obi. Na wa ooo

WizardOfNG:
This dude was Federal minister of power of Nigeria
2019–2021 under Buhari. He was busy stealing and never did anything productive. Same as was the case under GEJ.

We all known non cost-reflective tariffs and the huge debt GEJ and Buhari owed GENCOs and DISCOs, trillions, are two of the main problems preventing adequate power supply today.

Adelabu is the only power Minister to attempt putting in place gradual removal of subsidy in the power sector, with banding, that will address the issue of non cost-reflective tariffs that has prevented the privatised Nigerian power sector attracting foreign investor cash that can transform our power sector for the better immensely.

Tinubu has just put together a 3.3 trillio Naira package to pay debts GEJ and Buhari owed GENCOs and DISCOs.

Yet any sane and fairly intelligent person can believe Atiku and Obi fans claiming Adelabu is "Minister of darkness" and Tinubu has failed in the power sector?

What should be the conclusion regarding the failure of GEJ and Buhari if Nigerians are not a weapon fashioned against themselves?

Regional autonomy is the way abeg because when a solutions provider arrives, clearly making moves not seen before to solve the crazy problems others have caused, and Nigerians can only tag that leader a failure then it is clear we should all go and lead ourselves in our geopolitical zones independently.

manuelkel:
What a long epistle 😂😂 just to mention Obi. Na wa ooo

frog12:
terrible people.
they are only busy stealing

CorperKola:
Necause he wants to contedt now
You remember the locust years

What have these past 3 years been then??

The hyena years abi

FreeStuffsNG:
This was what GEJ failed to do with Diezani and co. because they were from his region and religion.

GEJ's tenue was truly the locust years in our annals.