The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced ex-Minister of Power Saleh Mamman to 75 years’ imprisonment in absentia for money laundering involving N33.8 billion.

Presiding judge Justice James Omotosho found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts filed by the EFCC and ordered the sentences to run consecutively. He said Mamman’s repeated absence from court was a deliberate move to delay proceedings.

Citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the judge ruled that sentencing could proceed even without the defendant present, noting that Mamman couldn’t claim a miscarriage of justice.

Mamman received seven-year jail terms on Counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 with no fine option. On Count 4 he got three years or a N10 million fine, and on Count 5 he got two years without a fine. The sentences take effect once he is arrested.

The court directed Nigerian security agencies and INTERPOL to arrest him anywhere and hand him to the Nigerian Correctional Service. It also ordered the final forfeiture of two Abuja properties and foreign currency recovered from him.

In addition, Justice Omotosho ordered Mamman to repay the difference between the recovered assets and the N22 billion the court found was diverted from the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects out of the N33.8 billion alleged.

Mamman was convicted in absentia on May 7.