A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 13 for sentencing of the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, following his conviction in a N33.8 billion money laundering case.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter for sentencing after Mamman failed to appear physically in court during Thursday’s judgment proceedings.
The EFCC disclosed this after the court convicted the former minister on 12 counts bordering on money laundering linked to funds earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
The commission said Justice Omotosho postponed sentencing until May 13 because the former minister was absent in court, adding that
“Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman on 12-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33.8 billion,” the EFCC stated.
“The judge also deferred his sentence to May 13, 2026 because the former Minister was not physically present in court.
“To forestall his escape from the country before being sentenced, EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, applied for a bench warrant for his arrest so as to be produced in court,” the statement added.
Earlier during proceedings, Mamman’s lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that the defence had been unable to establish contact with the former minister despite receiving notice of the judgment date.
Ahmed said one of Mamman’s associates informed the legal team that the former minister was “indisposed.”
However, when Justice Omotosho demanded a medical report to support the claim, the defence admitted that none was available.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, who is also the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, urged the court to proceed with the judgment, arguing that there was no credible evidence explaining Mamman’s absence.
The judge subsequently criticised the defence for failing to provide proof of illness.
“The defendant is not here and there is no medical report to back this,” Justice Omotosho said.
“We are all ministers in the temple of justice counsel.”
Justice Omotosho also warned against actions capable of portraying the judiciary negatively, stressing that all parties had been duly informed about the judgment date.
The conviction itself stemmed from a 12-count amended charge filed by the EFCC against Mamman over alleged laundering and diversion of N33.8billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
The anti-graft agency had arraigned the former minister in July 2024, accusing him of conspiring with ministry officials and private companies to siphon public funds allocated to the power projects.
After nearly two years of trial, the court held that the EFCC successfully proved the allegations beyond reasonable doubt and convicted him on all counts.
