Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has asked the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, to quash his conviction and 75-year prison sentence over the alleged N33.8 billion fraud linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
Mamman’s appeal came as the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday struck out a motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the permanent forfeiture of properties allegedly traced to him after his conviction and sentencing. Justice James Omotosho struck out the application after EFCC counsel, Abba Mohammed, informed the court that the commission had decided to withdraw it following Mamman’s appeal against the entire judgment. Defence counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, did not oppose the withdrawal.
The EFCC motion, dated July 29, 2026, had sought a consequential order permanently forfeiting to the Federal Government properties allegedly linked to the former minister. Justice Omotosho subsequently granted the withdrawal and struck out the application.
Mamman was convicted on 12 counts relating to alleged fraud and money laundering involving N33.8 billion and sentenced to consecutive prison terms totalling 75 years. The conviction was delivered in his absence.
Through a notice of appeal dated May 26, 2026, filed by his legal team led by Atteh, Mamman is asking the appellate court to set aside the judgment and discharge and acquit him. The appeal contains 18 grounds, with his lawyers arguing that the trial was affected by several legal and evidentiary irregularities.
A major ground of the appeal is the claim that Mamman’s right to fair hearing was breached when Justice Omotosho delivered judgment on May 7, 2026, despite an earlier date of June 9 having reportedly been fixed for judgment. His lawyers contend that the date was brought forward without notice to him and that he did not waive his right to be present.
The former minister’s legal team also challenged the handling of a subpoenaed defence witness, Abdulkareem Ozi Ibrahim, identified as a Director of Special Projects Accounts in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. They alleged that the witness was prevented from testifying for the defence, while the prosecution was allowed to reopen its examination-in-chief after it had closed its case.
Mamman’s lawyers further argued that the conviction relied substantially on uncorroborated accomplice evidence and that convictions were entered on counts 7 to 12 to which, they contend, no plea was taken.
They also challenged the finding that funds associated with the Zungeru and Mambilla power projects were diverted for Mamman’s personal benefit. According to the appeal grounds, the funds were domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria and controlled by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, while Mamman was allegedly neither an approving authority nor a signatory to the accounts.
Other grounds include allegations that the trial court relied on hearsay, disregarded documentary evidence and shifted the burden of proof to Mamman by requiring him to explain the source of funds used to purchase a property at Lungi Street, Wuse II, Abuja.
The defence also challenged the admission of Mamman’s extra-judicial statements, arguing that the requirements of Sections 15 and 17 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, were not complied with, including the alleged absence of audio-visual recording of the statements.
His legal team further alleged that the trial judge displayed bias against him, resulting in what they described as a miscarriage of justice.
The Federal High Court had earlier convicted Mamman on all 12 counts filed by the EFCC and sentenced him to a total of 75 years, with the terms ordered to run consecutively. The court had found the prosecution’s case established beyond reasonable doubt.
Mamman has since been taken into custody to begin serving the sentence. His appeal now places the conviction and sentence before the Court of Appeal for determination.
