Nigerian ex-energy minister gets 75-year jail term for fraud

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Abuja: A Nigerian court on Wednesday sentenced former power minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison for his involvement in a 33.8 billion naira ($24.7 million) money laundering scheme. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the landmark ruling, convicting Mamman on all 12 counts related to the misappropriation of funds intended for major hydroelectric projects.

The funds were diverted from government-financed initiatives, including the Mambilla and Zungeru power plants, and laundered through private companies. Mamman, who served as the Minister of Power from 2019 to 2021, was sentenced in absentia. The court has since ordered national and international security agencies, including Interpol, to apprehend the former minister and ensure he is handed over to correctional authorities to serve his sentence.