*Orders Security Agencies, Interpol To Effect Arrest
A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has sentenced a former minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment for money laundering and fraud to the tune of N33.8billion.
This followed a 12-counts charged against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mamman was sentenced to seven years each on 10 counts and three years and two years each on counts four and five, starting from the day of his arrest.
Delivering judgment on the case, Justice James Omotosho held that the sentence should run consecutively without the option of a fine, except on count four, which allows for a N10million fine.
The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from the former minister and four choice properties in Abuja traced and linked to him.
Recall that in July 2024, the EFCC arraigned Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and conspiracy with officials in the ministry and some private companies to “indirectly convert” the sum of N33.8billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Mamman pleaded not guilty to the charge, in the case marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.
During the trial, the anti-graft agency called 17 witnesses, who testified before the court, and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case.
On May 7, this year, Mamman was convicted in absentia, after Justice Omotosho held that he was satisfied that EFCC had successfully established Mamman’s culpability beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court then issued a warrant for his arrest.
However, his Counsel, Mohammed Ahmed, who announced his appearance for him on Wednesday, May 13, told the court that he did not know Mamman’s whereabouts, as calls placed to his phone lines failed to connect.
After the sentencing, Justice Omotosho ordered all security agencies to liaise with the International Police (Interpol) to ensure Mamman’s arrest.
