The Federal High Court in Abuja was set to deliver judgment in the alleged ₦33.8 billion fraud case involving former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, but the ex-minister was absent as proceedings commenced. Mamman, who served under President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, faces charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and diversion of public funds linked to major power sector projects.
Mamman’s background reflects a long career in teaching, civil service, and politics. Born in Taraba State in 1958, he studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Kaduna Polytechnic and later earned an MBA from Bayero University Kano. He began as a technical school teacher in Adamawa before joining the Taraba State Ministry of Works, where he rose to Assistant Director of Electrical Services before retiring in 2002. Afterward, he ventured into business and politics, eventually being appointed Minister of Power in August 2019. His tenure was marked by persistent challenges in electricity generation and transmission, and he was removed in a cabinet reshuffle in September 2021.
The fraud allegations surfaced in 2023 when the EFCC arrested Mamman over alleged misappropriation of funds. He was arraigned in 2024 on a 12-count charge involving ₦33.8 billion tied to projects such as the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric initiatives. During one court appearance, Mamman collapsed and was later granted bail set at ₦10 billion with strict conditions.
His absence in court during the scheduled judgment has sparked reactions across social media, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over what they see as a recurring pattern of high-profile defendants evading accountability. Civil society groups have urged the judiciary to ensure transparency and fairness, while political analysts say the case could set a precedent for how corruption trials are handled in Nigeria. Business stakeholders warn that scandals of this scale undermine investor confidence in the country’s power sector and broader economy.
The outcome of the judgment, once delivered, will be closely watched as one of the largest alleged fraud scandals in Nigeria’s power sector, with implications for governance, accountability, and public trust.
