It looks like the long-stalled Mambilla hydropower project has claimed its latest high-profile casualty. Here is a breakdown of the dramatic legal developments and the state of Nigeria’s “ghost” power plant.
The Verdict: 75 Years for Saleh Mamman
In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a total of 75 years in prison.
The Conviction: Mamman was found guilty of 12 counts of money laundering involving N33.8 billion.
The “In Absentia” Factor: Mamman was not present for the sentencing. Justice James Omotosho described his absence as a “deliberate attempt to stop the wheel of justice” and ordered INTERPOL to track him down.
Consecutive Sentencing: Unlike many cases where sentences run concurrently (simultaneously), the judge ordered these to run consecutively. Effectively, he must serve one term after the other.
Financial Penalty: Beyond jail time, Mamman must forfeit two Abuja properties and refund the N22 billion that the prosecution successfully proved was siphoned.
The Mambilla Project: A 40-Year Wait
Despite being envisioned as Nigeria’s largest power plant, the Mambilla project remains a “site of silence.”
- Capacity: 3,050 Megawatts (MW).
- The Goal: To increase Nigeria’s electricity generation by 30% and export power to Niger, Togo, Benin, and Chad.
- The Cost: Approximately $5.8 billion (N2.1 trillion), with 85% intended to come from the China EXIM Bank.
- Current Reality: Over 40 years since its inception in 1973, there is no physical progress at the site. Locals in Taraba State report that the land has been surveyed, but no compensation has been paid, and no contractors are on-site.
A Web of Legal Gridlock
The project is currently paralyzed by international and domestic legal battles:
- Sunrise Power vs. Nigeria: Sunrise Power (SPTCL) claims the government breached a 2003 contract. They are seeking $400 million in compensation at the International Court of Arbitration in Paris.
- Olu Agunloye: Another former Minister of Power was re-arraigned in September 2025 for allegedly awarding the Mambilla contract fraudulently without Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval.
- Leno Adesanya: The promoter of Sunrise Power remains wanted by the EFCC but has challenged their power to investigate while international arbitration is ongoing.
Current Status: On Ice
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has officially suspended the project. During the 2024 budget defense, current officials confirmed that zero funds were allocated to Mambilla. The logic is simple: until the international arbitration with Sunrise Power is settled, the government cannot legally or practically move forward.
The Bottom Line: While the courts are handing out decades-long sentences to those who handled the money, the project itself remains a forest. For now, the “biggest power plant in Nigeria” exists only on paper and in court documents.
