Nigeria Transfers Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman to Prison After 75-Year Sentence!

Nigeria Transfers Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman to Prison After 75-Year Sentence!

Reported by Fasesan Marian opeyemi | Editor-in-Chief at Sele Media Africa.

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has transferred former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman to Kuje Correctional Centre following a Federal High Court ruling that sentenced him to 75 years imprisonment for money laundering and criminal breach of trust. The conviction, delivered on May 25, 2026, marks one of the most severe penalties ever imposed on a former Nigerian cabinet member, signalling a significant escalation in the country’s anti-corruption enforcement.

Landmark Conviction for Billions in Diversion

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja found Mamman guilty on 12 counts of money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy to divert public funds. The charges stemmed from allegations that billions of naira belonging to the Ministry of Power were illegally siphoned during Mamman’s tenure from 2019 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The EFCC, in a statement signed by its spokesperson Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Mamman was moved to Kuje on Tuesday evening. “This conviction is a major milestone in Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign and a clear warning to all public officers that abuse of office will attract severe consequences,” Oyewale said.

Prosecutors presented evidence showing that the former minister, alongside unnamed accomplices, laundered funds through multiple bank accounts and shell companies. The court determined that Mamman used his position to approve contracts and payments without due process, diverting resources meant for critical power infrastructure projects.

Legal Significance: A Precedent for Anti-Graft Enforcement

Legal analysts have described the 75-year sentence as unprecedented for a former cabinet member in Nigeria. Barrister Chidi Odinkalu, a human rights lawyer and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, told Sele Media Africa that the ruling “represents a tectonic shift in judicial willingness to hold high-profile political figures accountable.”

“The judiciary has historically been reluctant to impose such lengthy sentences on former ministers,” Odinkalu said. “This judgment signals that Nigerian courts are now prepared to treat corruption as a grave offence against the state, not merely a political misdemeanour.”

The sentence is structured to run concurrently, meaning Mamman will serve a maximum of 75 years, effectively a life term for the 68-year-old. His legal team has indicated plans to appeal, but legal experts note that the burden of overturning the conviction will be substantial given the volume of documentary evidence presented.

The Charges: A Web of Financial Irregularities

The EFCC’s case against Mamman centred on transactions totalling approximately N33 billion (about $72 million) that were allegedly diverted between 2019 and 2021. Prosecutors detailed how funds allocated for rural electrification projects, transformer procurement, and power grid maintenance were instead channelled to private accounts.

Key evidence included bank statements showing multiple cash withdrawals and transfers to companies linked to the former minister’s associates. The court also heard testimony from EFCC forensic accountants who traced the flow of funds through 14 different bank accounts across three commercial banks.

Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, stated that Mamman “failed to provide any credible explanation for the suspicious transactions” and that the prosecution had “proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.”

Reactions: Mixed Responses Across Political Spectrum

The conviction has drawn widespread reactions from civil society, political observers, and anti-corruption activists. The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of over 70 civic organisations, praised the judgment as a “victory for the rule of law.”

“This sentence demonstrates that no one is above the law in Nigeria,” said Ene Obi, the coalition’s convener. “We call on the EFCC to sustain this momentum and pursue all pending corruption cases against former public officials.”

However, some political analysts have cautioned against selective justice. Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, a senior fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development, noted that “while this conviction is welcome, Nigerians will be watching to see if similar standards are applied across party lines.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC), the party under which Mamman served, has not issued an official statement. A party source who spoke on condition of anonymity told Sele Media Africa that the APC “respects the judicial process and awaits the outcome of any appeal.”

Pan-African Significance: A Model for Anti-Corruption on the Continent

Mamman’s conviction carries implications beyond Nigeria. Across Africa, anti-corruption agencies have struggled to secure convictions against high-ranking former officials. The Nigerian case provides a potential template for other nations seeking to strengthen their legal frameworks against graft.

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former World Bank vice president and a prominent anti-corruption advocate, said the ruling “sends a powerful message to the continent that impunity can be challenged.”

“Nigeria has taken a significant step forward,” Ezekwesili told Sele Media Africa. “This judgment should encourage anti-graft bodies in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and elsewhere to pursue their cases with renewed vigour.”

The conviction also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which identifies good governance and the rule of law as foundational pillars for continental development.

What Happens Next

Mamman will remain at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the outcome of his appeal. The EFCC has confirmed that investigations into other individuals linked to the case are ongoing. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Power has announced an internal audit of all contracts awarded between 2019 and 2023.

The case is expected to be cited in several other high-profile corruption trials currently before Nigerian courts, including those involving former state governors and other ex-ministers. Legal experts predict that Mamman’s conviction will embolden prosecutors to seek tougher sentences in future cases.

SOURCES

• Channels Television – “EFCC Moves Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman to Kuje Prison”
• Premium Times – “Saleh Mamman Sentenced to 75 Years for Money Laundering”
• Punch Newspapers – “Former Power Minister Gets 75 Years in Prison”
• Vanguard Nigeria – “EFCC Hails Landmark Conviction of Saleh Mamman”
• Daily Trust – “Mamman Jailed: A Warning to Public Officials”