The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, was sentenced to 75 years in prison for diverting ₦29 billion from funds allocated for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects.
Olukoyede said Mamman diverted the money from the ₦32 billion earmarked for the two major power projects and used the proceeds to acquire properties in different locations.
The EFCC chairman, who disclosed this while speaking on the commission’s anti-corruption efforts, said the former minister allegedly believed he would escape accountability after diverting the public funds.
He, however, noted that Mamman had been convicted and was now serving his prison sentence.
The conviction, according to Olukoyede’s account, underscores the commission’s determination to pursue public officials accused of misappropriating public funds, irrespective of their former positions.
Mamman served as Minister of Power under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2021.
