Buhari’s former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman N33bn Scandal
In a country where political corruption seems as common as the morning sun, Nigeria has once again found itself embroiled in yet another high-profile scandal. This time, former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, is accused of N33bn in money laundering offenses. The latest development in this saga – a staggering N10bn bail bond – raises serious questions about accountability, justice, and the persistent issue of corruption in Nigerian politics.
The Charges and the Bail
Mamman, who served under former President Buhari from 2019 to 2021, faces 12 counts of money laundering brought against him by the federal government. The sheer scale of the alleged offenses – N33bn – is mind-boggling, especially considering Nigeria’s struggles with poverty and infrastructure development.
Justice James Kolawole Omotosho’s ruling on the bail application is equally eye-opening. A N10bn bail bond, to be endorsed by a reputable bank, or alternatively, two sureties with N10bn each and properties worth at least N750m in Abuja. These figures are so astronomical they almost lose meaning. They beg the question: Is this justice, or merely a game played with numbers too large for the average Nigerian to comprehend?
The Bigger Picture
This case is not isolated. It’s part of a broader pattern of alleged corruption among high-ranking officials in Nigeria. The revolving door between political office and the defendant’s dock has become all too familiar. It raises several critical points:
- Accountability in Government: How did such massive sums allegedly go missing under the watch of not just Mamman, but the entire government apparatus? What checks and balances failed?
- The Effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Measures: Despite the much-touted anti-corruption stance of the Buhari administration, we’re still seeing cases like this emerge. What does this say about the efficacy of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts?
- The Impact on Public Trust: Each scandal chips away at the already fragile trust between the Nigerian people and their government. How many more can the system withstand before that trust crumbles entirely?
- The Disparity in Justice: While the bail conditions are steep, they also highlight the vast gulf between Nigeria’s elite and the average citizen. How many Nigerians could even comprehend, let alone meet, such bail conditions?
- The Power Sector Quagmire: That this scandal involves a former Minister of Power is particularly galling. Nigeria’s power sector has long been plagued by inefficiencies and corruption, directly impacting the quality of life for millions. This case only underscores the depth of the problem.
Looking Forward
While it’s crucial that due process is followed and Mamman is presumed innocent until proven guilty, this case serves as yet another wake-up call for Nigeria. The country needs:
- Stronger preventive measures against corruption in government.
- More robust checks and balances, including empowering anti-corruption agencies.
- A overhaul of the political culture that seems to breed these scandals.
- Greater transparency in government operations, especially in critical sectors like power.
- A justice system that’s not just tough on paper, but effective in practice.
As this case unfolds, it will be telling to see how it’s handled. Will it be pursued to its logical conclusion, or will it fade into obscurity like so many before it? Will it lead to meaningful reforms, or will it be business as usual once the headlines die down?
The N10bn bail bond may seem like justice to some, but true justice would be a Nigeria where such astronomical sums aren’t allegedly siphoned off in the first place. A Nigeria where the power sector serves its people reliably. A Nigeria where public service is just that – service, not a path to personal enrichment.
As citizens, we must demand better. We must keep asking questions, keep pushing for transparency, and keep holding our leaders accountable. Only then can we hope to break this cycle of corruption that has held Nigeria back for far too long.
The bail has been set. But the real question remains: When will Nigeria post bail on its future, freeing itself from the shackles of corruption that have bound it for so long? That’s the N33bn question we should all be asking.
Reference
Court slams N10bn bail bond on Buhari’s ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman published in dailypost