Former Nigerian Power Minister Saleh Mamman Jailed 75 Years for Money Laundering

A former Nigerian power minister, Saleh Mamman, has been sentenced to 75 years in prison after being convicted of laundering 33.8 billion naira ($24.7 million), in one of the country’s most significant corruption rulings in recent years.

The conviction was handed down following findings that Mamman used private companies to channel funds linked to government-funded power projects during his tenure.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) said the former minister was convicted on 12 counts of money laundering and has since been “out of circulation,” with authorities unable to locate him.

A high court in Abuja earlier issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear following the ruling.

Mamman, who served as Minister of Power between 2015 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has not publicly responded to the verdict.

Interestingly, just weeks before his sentencing, he had announced political ambitions to contest the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State under the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The court also ordered him to repay 22 billion naira ($16 million) as part of the judgment.

His conviction is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign targeting former senior government officials accused of financial misconduct.

The case has also reignited public frustration over Nigeria’s ongoing electricity challenges, which have persisted despite repeated government promises of reform.

Nigeria continues to struggle with chronic power shortages, forcing many households and businesses to rely on expensive fuel-powered generators due to frequent national grid failures.