The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count amended charge bordering on money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment after holding that the anti-graft agency successfully established its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
Despite Mamman’s absence during the proceedings, the court found him guilty on all the counts preferred against him by the EFCC.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari between August 2019 and September 2021, was prosecuted over the alleged diversion and laundering of funds linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
The EFCC had accused the former minister of conspiring with some government officials and private firms to divert public funds earmarked for critical power sector projects.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho said the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to support the allegations against the defendant.
The judge consequently convicted Mamman on all 12 counts contained in the amended charge filed before the court.
