By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal High Court in Abuja, Thursday, convicted an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Saleh Mamman in Taraba state over #33.8bn fraud.
Mamman who picked his nomination form a few days ago, served as Minister of Power under former president Muhammadu Buhari.
He was convicted on 12 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering judgement, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution successfully proved its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
The court convicted Mamman on all counts in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
Mamman was found guilty of illegally diverting public funds amounting to about ₦33.8 billion.
The court specifically held that the former minister made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for a landed property in Abuja without using any financial institution, contrary to the law.
Justice Omotosho also found him guilty of criminal breach of trust involving funds released by the Federal Government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
According to the court, a substantial part of the funds was diverted through Bureau de Change (BDC) operators who converted the money into foreign currencies and handed it over to the defendant.
“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 held.
Justice Omotosho further criticised the former minister for failing to leave behind any meaningful 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.
The defendant, however, was absent in court at the time the judgement was delivered.
Consequently, the court deferred sentencing, while the EFCC applied for a warrant of arrest against him.
Counsel to the defendant, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that Mamman’s whereabouts had remained unknown since Tuesday when notice of the judgement date was issued.
Ahmed said the former minister’s personal assistant later informed him that his client was ill.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to proceed with the judgement, insisting there was no valid reason for the defendant’s absence.
