Saleh Mamman, Nigeria’s former minister of power, has been handed a 75-year prison sentence for laundering ₦33.8 billion [$24.7 million / £18.5 million] in a rare high-profile corruption case in the country.
Last week, a court convicted the 68-year-old on 12 charges, including channeling funds through private companies linked to government-funded power projects. He was sentenced in absentia on Wednesday. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC], Mamman has been “out of circulation” and unreachable since the verdict.
An arrest warrant was issued by an Abuja high court on Monday. Mamman served as power minister between 2015 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ex-minister has not made any public statement since his conviction. Weeks earlier, however, he declared his intention to run for governor of Taraba State in the 2027 elections under the ruling All Progressives Congress [APC].
“Today marks a defining moment in my journey of service to our dear state,” he posted on social media. “With a deep sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment, I have officially obtained the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms under the APC to contest for the governorship of Taraba State.”
Mamman oversaw the power ministry during Buhari’s administration, which had pledged to curb corruption in government.