Former Nigerian Power Minister, Saleh Mamman, has been sentenced to 75 years in prison for laundering 33.8 billion naira ($24.7m; £18.5m).
The ruling stands out as one of the few major convictions of a high-ranking public official in Nigeria over corruption charges.
Last week, the court convicted Mamman on 12 counts linked to financial crimes. Prosecutors said he used private companies to move money connected to government-funded power projects.
The 68-year-old was sentenced in absentia on Wednesday because authorities could not locate him.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mamman has been missing since his conviction and remains “out of circulation” and “without trace”.
Earlier this week, on Monday, May 11, a high court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest. Mamman served as Nigeria’s power minister from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
So far, Mamman has not spoken publicly about the judgment or the allegations against him.
Only weeks before the sentencing, however, he announced his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State under Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Today marks a defining moment in my journey of service to our dear state. With a deep sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment, I have officially obtained the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest for the governorship of Taraba State,” he wrote on social media.
Mamman headed the power ministry during a period when Buhari’s government repeatedly promised to fight corruption and improve accountability in public office.
Later, Buhari removed him from office during a cabinet reshuffle after what the president described as an “independent and critical self-review.”
During Wednesday’s hearing, the court also ordered Mamman to return 22 billion naira ($16m; £12m). His case forms part of a broader anti-corruption campaign focused on former government officials.
The EFCC has also investigated other senior figures, including former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami and former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq.
The agency recently declared Farouq wanted. Both former ministers have denied wrongdoing.
Mamman’s conviction has renewed public frustration over Nigeria’s long-standing electricity problems. Many Nigerians remember that he had promised to improve the power supply during his time in office.
Although Nigeria ranks among Africa’s biggest energy producers, the country still struggles with severe electricity shortages. Frequent blackouts continue to disrupt homes, businesses, and daily life across the nation.
As a result, many families and companies depend on fuel-powered generators for electricity. Rising fuel costs have also increased financial pressure on millions of Nigerians.
