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Court Convicts Ex-power Minister Mamman for 75 Years Imprisonment over Money Laundering 

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts amended charge, bordering on money laundering, filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 

Despite Mamman’s absence in court, Justice James Omotosho held that the EFCC proved its case against the former minister beyond a reasonable doubt and consequently found him guilty on all the counts.

 

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari between August 2019 and September 2021, was prosecuted over alleged diversion and laundering of funds linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

 

The anti-graft agency accused him of conspiring with officials and private companies to divert public funds meant for power sector projects.

 

Justice Omotosho said he was satisfied with the evidence led by the prosecution before convicting Mamman on all the charges.

 

Justice Omotosho described the prosecution’s case as overwhelming and the defence as almost non-existent.

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“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant. The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” he held.

 

The court heard that most of the diverted funds were funnelled through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currencies before handing it over to Mamman.

 

The judge also took a swipe at the former minister’s tenure, lamenting that a man who held the nation’s power sector in his hands showed no interest in leaving a meaningful legacy.

 

“Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” Justice Omotosho added.

 

The conviction was handed down in Mamman’s absence, forcing the court to defer sentencing. The EFCC immediately applied for a warrant of arrest.

 

His lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that the defendant’s whereabouts had been unknown since last Tuesday when notice of the scheduled judgment was issued, adding that his personal assistant later claimed he was sick.

 

Ahmed’s bid to persuade the court to adjourn the judgment failed.

 

The trial judge, however, was unconvinced, referencing news reports showing that Mamman had recently been involved in political activities, including purchasing a form to contest the governorship election in Taraba State.

 

EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to proceed, dismissing any justification for the defendant’s absence.

 

“My Lord should go ahead. If the judgment is in his favour, we know what to do. If it is against him, we also know what to do,” he said.

 

Mamman was first arrested in 2021, approximately four months after ex-President Buhari removed him from office.

 

The EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case, alleging that he conspired with ministry staff to divert about ₦22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

 

Investigations, the agency said, revealed that the funds were used to acquire choice assets both within and outside the country.

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KANSIEC Chairman Advises Fruits Sellers Association to Modernize Business

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The Fruits Sellers Association, Kano State Chapter, has been advised to develop a strategic plan within a specific timeframe to modernize its business operations.

The Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, gave the advice during a courtesy visit by members of the association to his office.

Professor Malumfashi stated that the fruit business anywhere in the world serves customers from all backgrounds, both rich and poor, due to the importance of fruits in food consumption.

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He maintained that the association should seek recognition across the three tiers of government in order to benefit from government policies and programmes.

The KANSIEC Chairman added that the present administration under the Executive Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is transforming Kano into a modern metropolitan city with many parks. He said fruit sellers should secure designated spaces around the corners of flyovers across the city.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Fruits Sellers Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Alhaji Safiyanu Abdullahi, said they visited KANSIEC to seek guidance on how to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections within the association.

Bashir Habib Yahya
Media Aide to the KANSIEC Chairman
Date: 11/09/2026

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Breaking :Former PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Is Dead

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Former Chairman of the peoples Democratic party during Jonathan’s administration Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is dead .

A credible source in Yola the capital of Adamawa state informed Nigerian Tracker that Alhaji Bamanga Tukur passes on in Abuja.

The source said his body will later be conveyed to Yola the capital of Adamawa state for funeral at the palace of Lamidon Adamawa Alhaji Muhammad Barkindo .

 

Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Mahmud Tukur (CON) was a prominent Nigerian politician, businessman, administrator, and elder statesman who has had a towering impact on Nigeria’s socio-political and economic sectors for over six decades.

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He was widely recognized for his roles as the former Governor of the old Gongola State, the former Minister of Industries, and the former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Early Life and EducationDate of Birth: Born on 15 September 1935 in what is today Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Higher Education: He obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States.

Honorary Recognition: He was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Honoris Causa) by Benue State University in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Traditional Titles: Reflecting his high regional and cultural status, he holds the distinguished traditional titles of Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye in Adamawa State.

Career in Public Service & Governance
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA):
Served as General Manager/Chief Executive from 1975 to 1982, managing port congestion and modernizing seaports.

Governor of Old Gongola State: Elected during the Second Republic in 1982, serving a brief term before the December 1983 military coup.

Minister for Industries: Served under General Sani Abacha’s military administration from 1993 to 1995.

Business and Continental Leadership Founder of BHI Holdings (Daddo Group),

Tukur expanded his economic influence across Africa:

Africa Business Roundtable (ABR): Founder, past president, and Life Patron.

NEPAD Business Group: Elected Chairman in March 2002.

International Maritime Stature: First African Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)

PDP National Chairmanship (2012–2014)Elected PDP National Chairman in March 2012.

 

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Nigeria’s Oil Output Hits 1.573m bpd as OPEC Production Rises–Report Says

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria’s crude oil production, excluding condensate, rose by 35,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.573 million bpd in August 2026, from 1.537 million bpd in July, according to the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The increase, representing a 2.3 per cent month-on-month (MoM) growth, places Nigeria among OPEC members that recorded higher production during the month.

OPEC, in its latest monthly data based on direct communication from member countries, said Nigeria’s August output was its highest monthly production level in the data provided for 2026.

The August figure also exceeded Nigeria’s average production of 1.552 million bpd in the second quarter of 2026, indicating a gradual improvement in upstream output.

The development comes amid renewed efforts by the Federal Government and oil producers to boost production through improved security, fresh upstream investments, new projects and the rehabilitation of existing assets.

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Across OPEC, crude oil production increased by 346,000 bpd to 24.081 million bpd in August, from 23.735 million bpd in July.

Iraq recorded the largest increase among OPEC members, with output surging by 664,000 bpd to 3.378 million bpd. Kuwait followed with a 49,000-bpd increase to 1.894 million bpd, while the United Arab Emirates added 54,000 bpd to reach 3.835 million bpd.

Venezuela also increased production by 23,000 bpd to 1.145 million bpd.

However, some major producers recorded declines. Saudi Arabia’s output fell by 75,000 bpd to 7.276 million bpd, while Algeria and Libya declined by 8,000 bpd and 9,000 bpd to 999,000 bpd and 1.355 million bpd respectively.

Iran recorded the largest decline, with production dropping by 399,000 bpd to 2.086 million bpd.

Beyond OPEC, total production by the broader OPEC+ group, comprising OPEC members and participating non-OPEC producers under the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC), rose by 297,000 bpd to 38.055 million bpd in August.

Within the non-OPEC DoC group, Kazakhstan increased production by 159,000 bpd to 1.807 million bpd, while Russia cut output by 160,000 bpd to 8.718 million bpd.

For Nigeria, the latest production increase could provide some relief to government revenue and foreign exchange earnings, given the continued importance of crude oil exports to the economy.

Nigeria has set a target of raising crude oil production towards three million bpd by 2030, making sustained increases essential to achieving the ambition.

However, the country still faces significant challenges, including ageing fields, infrastructure constraints, crude theft, funding difficulties and the need to attract new investment into the upstream sector.

The August performance therefore represents progress, but maintaining the upward trend will be crucial if Nigeria is to close the gap between current production and its ambitious 2030 target.

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