…We are impressed with EFCC and the court – Editor
By Dauda Ismail
The Federal High Courts sentencing of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment following a high-profile N33.8 billion money laundering and fraud trial sent shockwaves across the country.
Delivering the judgment, Justice James Omotosho convicted Mamman on all 12 counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, ruling that the anti-graft agency had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. In a decisive move, Justice Omotosho ordered the sentences to run consecutively rather than concurrently, bringing the ex-minister’s total jail term to 75 years.
According to the charge sheet, Mamman, while serving as minister in 2019, conspired with ministry officials and private entities to indirectly convert public funds totalling N33,804,830,503.73.
The landmark ruling has sent repercussions through the country, drawing widespread praise for the EFCCs meticulous prosecution. For the investigative press, however, the verdict represents a different kind of triumph.
Reacting to the judgment, Mr George Emine, the Weekend Editor of AljazirahNigeria newspapers, lauded both the judiciary and the EFCC, framing the conviction as a significant validation of the publication’s investigative crusade.
“While I commend the EFCC for a thorough prosecution that led to this conviction, this is also a major victory for the anti-corruption stance of AljazirahNigeria. Over the years, we have taken it upon ourselves to expose public sector corruption despite facing intimidation, attacks, and outright bullying. As societal ombudsmen, we are duty-bound to contribute to the nations anti-corruption war, Emine stated.
He revealed that the newspaper had laid the groundwork for the exposure years prior. About four years ago, we conducted an independent investigation into the Ministry of Power under Mamman’s tenure. We wrote to his office for clarification but received no response. Even after a formal reminder was ignored, we stood by our evidence and went to press with our findings. This conviction spurs us on to greater action, he added.
AljazirahNigeria has recently been at the forefront of exposing high-level corruption. The media house has published several exclusive reports, including investigations into an alleged London property fraud scandal involving prominent Nigerians, asset concealment allegations against the an NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, an alleged N528 billion fraud linked to former Governor Bello Matawalle, a financial scandal at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, FUHSO, and corruption allegations against the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Legal experts believe this consecutive sentencing sets a stringent precedent for public accountability, signaling a revitalised judicial intolerance towards the diversion of public funds in Nigeria.
