Mamman Saleh, who was appointed the minister of Power in August 2019 by the then president Muhammad Buhar, and was sacked by the same president in September 2021, being two years later, was on Wednesday sentenced to 75 years imprisonment for stealing up to N33.8 billion.
It is mind buggling that a man who started his life as a teacher could have such a Klepto maniacal habit. if he could steal within just a period of two years, one shakes and shivers what he would have done if he had stayed longer.
It just means that he did not take up tat office with no other intention than to steal, loot, embezzle and defraud.
To think this happened while he is under the protection of a ruling party which their mantra was, ‘Come over to APC, whatever your crime, it will be forgiven thee’ His own crime was so massive, that even his protectors had to cut and run. Even the president who appointed him had to wash his hands off him. He promptly relieved him off the post, before the fast finger steals the entire country, presidency and all.
To think that this rascal was handed over one of the most sensitive ministries in the country. Yet, he did not have a pang of conscience as the nation and her people were in dire stress and suffering untold hardship due to the failures of his ministry, yet he was living larher than life.
It is news worthy that it is the highly controversial Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who is handling this case. He has sentenced the ex-minister to seven years each on 10 counts and to three years on counts four and two years in count five of the charge.
According to the judge, the sentence is to run consecutively, and without the option of a fine, except for count four, which allows a N10 million fine.
Omotosho, who directed all security agencies in the country to arrest Saleh wherever he is found, held that the jail term would begin from the day the convict is arrested.
Meanwhile, Omotosho ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from the convict, as well as four choice properties in Abuja linked to Saleh, adding that the convict should refund the outstanding balance from the alleged N22 billion linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
Recall that the court had last week found the former minister during the administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari, guilty of fraud in respect of the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
Omotosho had on May 7, also issued a warrant for his arrest, adding that Mamman should be brought to court for sentencing on the next adjourned date.
The former minister was arraigned in July 2024, on alleged money laundering and conspiracy with officials at the ministry and some private companies to “indirectly convert” the sum of N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
The former minister, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The anti-graft agency, in proving its case, called 17 prosecution witnesses (PWs) through its lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who is also the Director, Public Prosecutions of the Federation.
The commission also tendered 43 exhibits against the defendant before closing its case.
However, Mamman, through his lawyer, Femi Atteh, SAN, did not call any witness in his defence.
Delivering judgment last week, Omotosho held that the EFCC was able to established the 12-count amended charge against the defendant beyond reasonable.
“The prosecution has established that, at least, N22 billion naira was siphoned by the defendant and his cronies.
“This is sufficient to sustain the charge. Consequently, the defendant is hereby convicted of Count 1 of the charge.
“The defence did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the evidence of the prosecution.
“Upon the unchallenged evidence of the prosecution, the court hereby convicts the defendant of Count 1 of the charge,” Justice Omotosho said.
The judge held that Mamman’s act of diverting funds meant for other purposes such as the Zungeru and Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project to his own use was quite an eyesore.
“The sheer greed of the defendant and his comrades in crime is nothing but a downright shameful thing.
“For defendant, who held a critical position such as Ministry of Power, rather than being concerned with creating a legacy of solving the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant began siphoning and converting monies for serious projects into private pockets.
“The defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary Nigerians who had suffered from the consequence of his malfeasance. “
“Little wonder that Nigeria has remained in darkness now,” the judge said.
According to Justuce Omotosho, I must say the defendant was ingenious in trying to hide his involvement by using proxy companies and accomplices to pick the funds for him.
“However, the diligent investigation of the prosecution was able to link him to the said funds.
“This court must salute the detailed nature of the investigation carried out in this matter and for presenting a coherent and cogent case against the defendant.
“The defendant on the other hand is condemned for greedily converting public funds to his own use.
“In final analysis, the prosecution has established the 12-count charge against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
“Consequently, he is hereby convicted as charged,” Justice Omotosho ruled.
Since the defendant was not in court when the judgment was delivered, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, prayed the court to issue a warrant for his arrest and be produced in court on the next adjourned date.
However, Mamman’s lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, begged the court for an adjournment to enable his client present himself before the court.
In a short ruling, the court granted the anti-graft agency’s request and directed that the defendant be arrested and produced in court for sentencing on May 13. Being today of this publication.
