A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering.

The charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accused the former minister of involvement in the diversion of public funds.

Delivering judgment in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and established Mamman’s culpability on all counts.

Mamman, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found guilty of participating in the illegal diversion of approximately ₦33.8 billion in public funds.

The court also found that he made a cash payment of $655,700 (about ₦200 million) for landed property in Abuja without routing the transaction through a financial institution, in violation of anti-money laundering regulations.

In addition, he was convicted of criminal breach of trust in relation to funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.

According to the court, a significant portion of the funds was allegedly siphoned through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currency before passing it on.

Justice Omotosho described the prosecution’s case as compelling, noting that the defence failed to provide credible evidence to counter the allegations.

“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge held. “The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”