Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court on Wednesday sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years’ imprisonment in absentia over a N33.8bn money laundering and fraud case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The court convicted Mamman on all 12 counts filed against him by the anti-graft agency, holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Omotosho ordered that the prison terms would run consecutively and not concurrently, bringing the total jail term to 75 years.

The judge sentenced the former minister to seven years’ imprisonment each on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without an option of fine.

Additionally, he condemned him to two years in prison on count five without the possibility of a fee and three years in prison on count four with the possibility of a N10 million fine.

The judge determined that Mamman's purposeful attempt to obstruct the administration of justice was demonstrated by his absence from court during the judgment and sentencing hearings.

The court concurred with EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) that sentencing could legitimately proceed in spite of the defendant's absence, citing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Judge Omotosho then gave the order for all security services, including Interpol, to apprehend Mamman wherever they come across him and turn him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service so he may start serving his sentence.

The jail sentence would start on the day of his arrest, the court decided.

Additionally, the judge mandated the definitive confiscation of all recovered money, foreign exchange, and assets connected to the offender, including those found in Abuja.

He also ordered Mamman to reimburse the remaining N22 billion that the prosecution claimed was taken from money intended for the hydroelectric power projects in Mambilla and Zungeru.

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