A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment over a N33.8 billion fraud linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the sentence in absentia on Thursday after Mamman failed to appear in court for sentencing.

The judge ordered that the prison terms run consecutively and begin from the date of the former minister’s arrest by security agencies.

Mamman, 68, was also ordered to forfeit two Abuja properties and various sums of money in different currencies recovered from him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during investigations.

Justice Omotosho noted that the defendant’s continued absence was a deliberate attempt to frustrate the judicial process.

Agreeing with EFCC prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the judge held that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) empowers the court to proceed with sentencing despite the defendant’s absence.

He subsequently sentenced Mamman to seven years imprisonment each on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 without an option of fine.

On count four, the former minister received a three-year sentence with an option of a N10 million fine, while count five attracted two years imprisonment without an option of fine.

Justice Omotosho further directed all security agencies within and outside Nigeria, including INTERPOL, to arrest Mamman wherever he is found and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service to serve his sentence.

Following an application by the prosecution, which was not opposed by defence counsel Mohammed Ahmed, the court also ordered the convict to refund the balance between the recovered assets and N22 billion identified as proceeds siphoned from the power projects.

In his earlier judgment delivered on May 7, Justice Omotosho held that the EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“The prosecution has established that, at least, N22 billion was siphoned by the defendant and his cronies,” the judge said.

He strongly criticised Mamman’s conduct, describing it as a betrayal of public trust that worsened Nigeria’s electricity crisis.

“The sheer greed of the defendant and his comrades in crime is nothing but a downright shameful thing,” the judge stated.

“The defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary Nigerians who had suffered from the consequences of his malfeasance. Little wonder that Nigeria has remained in darkness now.”

Justice Omotosho also said the former minister attempted to conceal his involvement through proxy companies and accomplices.