ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Nigerian Power Minister Saleh Mamman has been sentenced to 75 years in prison after being convicted of laundering Sh3.4 billion, in one of the rare successful prosecutions of senior public officials in the West African nation.
Mamman, 68, was last week found guilty on 12 counts, including using private firms to channel funds linked to government-financed power projects.
The sentencing was delivered in absentia after authorities said he could not be traced.
According to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the former minister had been “out of circulation” and “without trace” since his conviction. Earlier this week, a high court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest.
Mamman served as power minister from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration had pledged to tackle corruption. He was later dismissed during a cabinet reshuffle following what Buhari described as an “independent and critical self-review”.
Despite the conviction, Mamman had recently declared interest in running for governor of Taraba State in the 2027 elections under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Today marks a defining moment in my journey of service to our dear state. With a deep sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment, I have officially obtained the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest for the governorship of Taraba State,” he wrote on social media weeks before sentencing.
The court also ordered Mamman to repay Sh2.2 billion linked to the case.
The conviction has revived criticism over Nigeria’s prolonged electricity crisis, which worsened during Mamman’s tenure despite repeated promises to improve power supply. Africa’s largest oil producer continues to experience frequent nationwide blackouts, forcing many homes and businesses to rely on costly fuel-powered generators.
