Former Nigerian Power Minister Handed 75-Year Jail Term in Landmark Corruption Case
A Nigerian high court has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison after he was found guilty of laundering billions of naira in one of the country’s most significant anti-corruption rulings in recent years.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2021, was convicted on 12 counts related to the diversion and laundering of approximately 33.8 billion naira ($24.7 million). Prosecutors said the funds were siphoned through private companies linked to government-backed power projects.
The verdict has drawn widespread attention across Nigeria and beyond, with many describing it as a rare and decisive move against high-ranking public officials accused of corruption.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed that the former minister was sentenced in absentia after reportedly disappearing following his conviction. Authorities say Mamman has been “out of circulation” and “without trace,” prompting the Abuja High Court to issue an arrest warrant earlier this week.
In addition to the lengthy prison sentence, the court also ordered Mamman to refund 22 billion naira believed to have been illegally acquired through the scheme.
The ruling comes at a politically sensitive moment, as Mamman had only recently declared his intention to contest the governorship election in Taraba State in 2027 under Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement shared on social media before his sentencing, the former minister said he was committed to serving the people of Taraba State and had officially obtained nomination forms to begin his campaign journey.
Mamman headed Nigeria’s power ministry during a period when the Buhari administration repeatedly promised to clamp down on corruption and reform the country’s struggling electricity sector. However, his tenure was overshadowed by persistent power failures, public frustration, and allegations of financial misconduct. He was eventually removed from office during a cabinet reshuffle ordered by Buhari following what the former president described as a critical performance review of his administration.
The conviction has reignited public anger over Nigeria’s long-standing electricity crisis. Despite being one of Africa’s biggest energy producers, the country continues to suffer from chronic power shortages and nationwide blackouts that severely affect businesses and households.
Millions of Nigerians still rely heavily on fuel-powered generators for daily electricity needs, while soaring fuel prices have deepened economic hardship across the country.
The case against Mamman is part of a broader anti-corruption crackdown targeting former government officials. Other prominent figures under investigation by the EFCC include former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami and former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq. Both have denied wrongdoing.
For many Nigerians, Mamman’s conviction represents a major test of the country’s commitment to accountability and justice at the highest levels of government.
