Saleh Mamman once controlled the ministry responsible for keeping Nigeria’s lights on. Now a court has found him guilty of helping himself to the money meant for that job.
The Verdict
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment without hesitation. The EFCC, he held, had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. On 12 separate counts of money laundering, Mamman was found guilty. The alleged sum involved: N33.8 billion in public funds.
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What He Was Accused Of
Mamman served as Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari. During his time in office, Nigeria’s electricity supply remained notoriously unreliable — a source of daily frustration for millions of citizens. The EFCC alleged that rather than channelling funds toward fixing the system, Mamman diverted billions for personal use.
The Bigger Picture
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This conviction does not stand alone. It comes just days after the EFCC published a wanted notice for former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Farouq, also accused of diverting billions under the same administration.
For anti-corruption advocates, these developments suggest that the court system is beginning to move — that accountability is possible, even for the powerful.
Sentencing in the Mamman case is expected in the coming days. Many Nigerians will be watching closely to see what the punishment will be.
