The Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down a heavy sentence to the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, marking a major turning point in Nigeria’s fight against high-level corruption. Nigerian Culture Guides

In a landmark ruling delivered on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the court sentenced the former minister to a total of 75 years in prison.

This decision follows his conviction on several counts of money laundering and the diversion of public funds that were originally meant for critical national energy projects.

Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, delivered the verdict after finding Mamman guilty on all 12 counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt, demonstrating how the former minister participated in the “indirect conversion” of approximately N33.8 billion.

These funds were specifically earmarked for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects, which are essential to stabilizing Nigeria’s power grid.

During the proceedings, the court highlighted the severity of the betrayal of public trust. Justice Omotosho noted that while the country continued to struggle with persistent blackouts and an “epileptic power supply,” the former minister was busy “living large at the expense of ordinary citizens.”

Evidence presented during the trial showed that Mamman had used Bureau De Change operators to siphon money and had even made a massive cash payment of $655,700 for a luxury property in Abuja, bypassing all financial institutions.

The sentencing today followed a dramatic turn of events last week when the former minister failed to appear for the initial judgment. His legal team had claimed he was too ill to attend, but the court dismissed these excuses as a delay tactic, especially after reports surfaced of his recent involvement in political activities in Taraba State. Consequently, Justice Omotosho issued a warrant for his arrest, leading to his appearance for the final sentencing today.

Saleh Mamman served as the Minister of Power under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 until he was relieved of his duties during a cabinet reshuffle in 2021.

His conviction and subsequent 75-year jail term—which the court clarified would run concurrently for the various counts—serves as one of the most significant judicial outcomes involving a former cabinet member in recent history.

The Senate has amended its internal rules that restricted the eligibility of those interested in the Senate presidency to a few.

This is as the new rules indicated that only members of the 10th National Assembly, who returned to the Chamber after the 2027 election, can become principal officers in the 11th assembly.

The decision was reached after a marathon closed-door session that was publicly criticised by Senator Adams Oshiomhole from Edo state.

The Senate has made a major shift to its internal rules as it amended its standing orders to restrict the eligibility of candidates for the office of the Senate President to only members of the 10th National Assembly.

The move came after a marathon closed-door session where the lawmakers agreed on new criteria that prioritise parliamentary hierarchy and experience. Under the revised rules, only senators who have been in the national assembly would be able to contest for principal offices.

According to Channels TV, the new law stated that at least one of the two terms must be the immediate term before the nomination, a move that effectively narrowed the field of contenders.

The amended Order 4 of the Senate reads: 

“Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators and shall be strictly adhered to. 

“This means that only senators currently serving under the Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s leadership of the 10th Assembly who secured their re-election in the 2027 general elections would be able to contest for the Senate presidency and other principal offices. 

According to the Senate, the development was intended to strengthen adherence to the tradition of ranking within the Upper legislative chamber

Daily voice.ng earlier reported that Senate President Godswil Akpabio has blamed the insecurity in the country on the upcoming elections, and predicted improvement after the polls.

However, some critics of the claim have challenged Akpabio’s views and highlighted the need for peace ahead of elections.

At the same time, public reactions have revealed mixed feelings on security and Akpabio’s optimistic outlook ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed fresh criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and seven others over alleged fraud and money laundering linked to a ₦10.8 billion CCTV security project in the state.

According to court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on April 17, the anti-graft agency brought 11 counts against the former governor and the other defendants under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

A former Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Chairman of Liberty Television, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan, disclosed the development in a post on his Facebook page.

Ramalan said El-Rufai and the seven other accused persons would soon face the new charges.

The ICPC alleged that El-Rufai approved the award of an ₦8.68bn CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company it claimed lacked the required competence.

The commission also alleged that several large sums were received and transferred between 2017 and 2022 by individuals and companies linked to the project.

The firms mentioned include Singularity Network Security Limited and other companies allegedly connected to the CCTV security project.

Others named in the case include a former Kaduna State government official, Jimi Lawal; senior executives of IHS Towers; and five companies.

One of El-Rufai’s sons, Bashir El-Rufai, was also mentioned in the allegations but was not listed as a defendant.

The fresh charge is the third set of charges filed by the ICPC against the former governor since March.

El-Rufai is already facing separate corruption-related cases involving other state projects, including a light rail contract and severance payments.

He had denied wrongdoing in earlier court appearances.

Other agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are also investigating or prosecuting him over separate allegations.