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Mambilla Scandal Resurfaces After Ex-Minister Mamman’s Conviction

Published

2 months ago

May 8, 2026

₦31bn Fraud Trial: Court Issues Fresh Bench Warrant Against Ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman

Mambilla Scandal Resurfaces After Ex-Minister Mamman’s Conviction

The conviction of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12-count charges bordering on money laundering involving N33.8 billion has once again brought renewed public attention to the long-stalled Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, one of Nigeria’s most controversial and delayed infrastructure projects.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday found Mamman guilty of laundering funds linked to the project, marking a major development in one of the biggest corruption cases tied to Nigeria’s power sector.

Although sentencing was deferred to May 13, 2026, the judgment has already reignited debate over the decades-long failure to complete the 3,050MW Mambilla Power Plant in Taraba State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that Mamman, while serving as Minister of Power in 2019, conspired with ministry officials and private firms to divert N33.8 billion earmarked for major electricity projects, including Mambilla and the Zungeru Hydroelectric scheme.

The court heard that the funds were routed through private companies suspected to have been used to conceal proceeds of unlawful activity linked to criminal breach of trust in public project financing.

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The case also included allegations of unauthorized cash transactions involving foreign currency payments made outside the banking system.

The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, designed to generate 3,050MW, has remained uncompleted for over four decades despite multiple funding commitments from successive governments.

Originally conceived to be Nigeria’s largest power plant, the project was expected to significantly boost national electricity supply, improve grid stability and support industrial growth.

Experts have repeatedly described it as a “game-changing project” capable of increasing Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity by about 30 percent and improving power exports to neighbouring West African countries such as Niger, Benin, Togo and Chad.

However, despite billions of naira and over $1 billion spent on feasibility studies, consultancy and preliminary works, the project remains stuck at pre-construction stage with no electricity generated to date.

The project has also been plagued by multiple legal disputes involving local and international firms.

In 2003, the Federal Government awarded the Mambilla project to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited under a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement estimated at $6 billion.

The contract, signed under then Minister of Power Olu Agunloye, later became controversial after government agencies questioned its approval process, leading to years of arbitration and court cases.

Sunrise Power subsequently dragged the Nigerian government before the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) in Paris, claiming breach of contract and demanding compensation running into hundreds of millions of dollars.

The arbitration has remained one of the major obstacles delaying the project.

The controversy has drawn in several top political figures over the years.

Former Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, had previously described Sunrise Power as a middleman in the project structure, while later administrations opted for a Chinese consortium to execute the engineering works.

Former ministers and government officials have also been implicated in various legal proceedings linked to the project’s contractual disputes.

In separate arbitration-related proceedings, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari were reportedly involved as witnesses in hearings connected to the international dispute over the project’s ownership and execution structure.

Since the start of the Bola Tinubu administration in 2023, the federal government has stopped direct funding for the Mambilla project, citing ongoing international arbitration and legal uncertainty.

Former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu confirmed that no budgetary allocation was made to the project, explaining that government cannot proceed until legal disputes are resolved.

He said the decision was deliberate to avoid financial exposure while arbitration proceedings remain unresolved.

Energy sector experts and civil society organisations have described Mamman’s conviction as a potential turning point in addressing long-standing issues surrounding the Mambilla project.

Some stakeholders argue that the ruling should prompt a broader investigation into all actors involved in the project’s delay and financial management.

Energy analysts have also called for transparency in the total amount spent on the project over the years, insisting that Nigerians deserve clarity on how funds were utilised.

Others are urging the federal government to resolve the legal disputes quickly and bring in credible international partners to finally complete the project.

The Mambilla project is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most important but troubled infrastructure initiatives.

Despite repeated promises across different administrations, the project has become a symbol of prolonged litigation, contract disputes and governance challenges in the country’s power sector.

With Mamman’s conviction now adding a criminal dimension to the controversy, attention has once again shifted to how Nigeria can finally unlock the long-delayed project and achieve its long-standing electricity goals.

Mambilla Scandal Resurfaces After Ex-Minister Mamman’s Conviction

Related Topics:ex-minister Mambilla power project

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“You’re still growing as a child” – GehGeh Slams Peller’s Marriage to Jarvis

Published

4 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Ojaigho Prosper, popularly known as GehGeh, TikTok star Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller and Content Creator Elizabeth Aminata, popularly called Jarvis

“You’re still growing as a child” – GehGeh Slams Peller’s Marriage to Jarvis

Influencer questions whether financial success alone qualifies young content creator for marriage, igniting fresh debate on maturity and timing.

Social media commentator Ojaigho Prosper, popularly known as GehGeh, has publicly criticised TikTok star Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, over his decision to marry fellow content creator Elizabeth Aminata, popularly called Jarvis. The criticism has reignited debates about age, maturity and readiness for marriage in the social media era, with GehGeh arguing that financial success alone should not be the basis for marriage.

The criticism followed Peller’s announcement on Sunday that he had completed traditional marriage rites by paying Jarvis’s bride price during a family introduction ceremony in Benin City, Edo State. Sharing clips from the event on Instagram, Peller wrote: “Today, I proudly paid the bride price of the woman I love.” He described the occasion as the beginning of a beautiful journey and expressed gratitude to both families for their blessings, declaring himself “officially off the market.” Following the ceremony, Peller shared an emotional video of Jarvis nearly crying as they prepared to leave her hometown for Lagos. He also recently revealed that Jarvis is pregnant, adding another layer to the public discourse around the timing of their union. The couple’s relationship has been highly publicised since 2024, featuring viral collaborations, multiple engagements, emotional breakups, and reconciliations.

Reacting on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, GehGeh questioned the growing argument that financial strength alone justifies marriage, insisting that other key factors must be considered before making such a life decision. “Y’all are justifying his act with ‘he has the money allow him’. But y’all failed to ask yourself if he’s ready mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually,” he wrote. He further stated: “Everything isn’t all about the money.” GehGeh expressed disappointment that Peller went ahead with the marriage plans despite his earlier advice, arguing that the content creator was still young and had more personal development ahead of him. “You still growing as a child why get married now eehn.. I tried my possible best to help you but you failed to listen to me.. Peller don go marry Jarvis.. upon all my advice this boy still pour spit for my face,” he said. The influencer also challenged those supporting Peller’s decision on the basis of his financial standing, asking whether they would encourage a younger sibling or family member to marry at a similar age. According to GehGeh, those backing the decision on grounds of Peller’s financial stability should reflect on whether they would advise a younger relative to take such a step.

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The family introduction ceremony comes weeks after Peller proposed to Jarvis at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana, where she accepted his proposal. The couple first met in 2023 through TikTok live streams, and their chemistry quickly captured public attention. In October 2024, their relationship became public when Jarvis kissed Peller on stage at the Pulse Influencer Awards. Their journey has been marked by public arguments, with Jarvis previously expressing concerns about Peller airing their private disagreements online and admitting she had “compromised her values” to support him. In July 2025, Jarvis confirmed they were engaged but stressed that marriage would happen at the right time, citing the need for caution and readiness. The couple has also weathered controversy beyond their personal conduct. In March 2026, Jarvis publicly appealed to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for forgiveness after backlash over an unauthorised visit to the Benin Royal Palace, which the Benin Traditional Council described as a violation of palace customs. That episode unfolded in the same Edo State setting where the bride price has now been paid, adding an ironic layer to their recent traditional ceremony.

The development has sparked mixed reactions across social media, with some users defending Peller’s decision on the grounds that he is financially stable and capable of providing, while others agreed with GehGeh that maturity goes beyond wealth and readiness equally matters. The exchange underscores how the private milestones of Nigeria’s young digital stars increasingly play out as public referendums on age, money, and readiness for marriage. What follows remains uncertain. Neither Peller nor Jarvis has fixed a date for a white wedding, and GehGeh has not indicated whether he intends to press the matter further. For now, the debate continues to generate significant online engagement, with fans and critics alike weighing in on whether the young content creators made the right decision.

“You’re still growing as a child” – GehGeh Slams Peller’s Marriage to Jarvis

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18 Farmers Killed, Several Injured in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities

Published

4 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Trends Admin

18 Farmers Killed, Several Injured in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities

Gunmen storm Kawel and Kopkon villages in Bokkos LGA, less than a week after traditional ruler was killed in same area.

No fewer than 18 farmers have been killed and several others injured after gunmen launched coordinated attacks on Kawel and Kopkon villages in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. The assault occurred late Sunday night, heightening concerns over escalating violence in the region and coming less than five days after the District Head of Gwande was killed in an ambush.

The attackers reportedly stormed the communities at about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, opening fire indiscriminately on sleeping residents before fleeing the area as security operatives mobilised to the scene. Some accounts place the time of the attack as late as 1:20 a.m. on Monday. According to a security report cited by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama, troops of Sector 5 under Operation Enduring Peace responded to distress calls following the attacks. Upon arrival at the affected communities, security operatives recovered 12 bodies from Kawel village and six from Kopkon village, bringing the total number of fatalities to 18. Other reports, however, put the death toll as high as 19 or 21. Military sources said troops have since launched search operations across surrounding communities to track down and apprehend fleeing suspects.

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Confirming the incident, Christopher Luka, Bokkos Youth Leader, said he received information about the attack from a member of the youth council shortly after midnight. “A youth leader called around 12 a.m. that gunmen attacked the community and shot over 20 people, so 18 were confirmed dead,” Luka told journalists. He explained that he immediately alerted security personnel stationed in Bokkos. “I called the security and they confirmed to me that they had been alerted and were on their way to the attacked community,” he added. Luka described the attack as unprovoked and urged security agencies to take decisive steps to prevent further escalation of violence in the area. He called on security forces to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities in the local government area.

The latest incident comes less than five days after the District Head of Gwande in Bokkos LGA, Saf Samuel Alaket, was killed in an ambush along the Sha District axis bordering Daffo community. The traditional ruler was reportedly returning home from a traditional council meeting when he encountered the attackers. The renewed violence has deepened concerns over security in Bokkos and surrounding communities, which have witnessed recurring deadly attacks in recent months. In May, no fewer than 12 persons were killed in separate attacks on communities in Riyom and Bassa Local Government Areas, and in March, gunmen reportedly killed 27 residents in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North Local Government Area.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the latest attack. Efforts to obtain comments from the spokespersons of the Plateau State Police Command and Operation Enduring Peace, SP Alabo Alfred and Captain Polycarp Auta, were unsuccessful as they had not responded to inquiries. Operation Enduring Peace has since intensified patrols and reinforced security presence in vulnerable parts of the state in response to the recurring incidents. The latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges confronting communities in Plateau State, where residents continue to call for a stronger security presence and decisive action to end the cycle of violence.

18 Farmers Killed, Several Injured in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities

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BREAKING: Court Sends Sowore to Kuje Correctional Centre After Revoking Bail

Published

5 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Omoyele Sowore

BREAKING: Court Sends Sowore to Kuje Correctional Centre After Revoking Bail

Activist, SaharaReporters publisher and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre following the revocation of his bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Sowore’s detention on Monday after the activist appeared before the court for the continuation of his trial. The development comes days after the court revoked the bail earlier granted to him and issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear at a previous hearing.

Sowore arrived at the court premises carrying a packed travel bag and told journalists that he anticipated the court would order his detention. He was accompanied by supporters and members of his movement, many of whom gathered outside the courtroom with placards expressing solidarity and demanding what they described as justice and respect for free speech.

The court had, on June 16, granted an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), seeking the revocation of Sowore’s bail. The prosecution argued that the activist deliberately failed to attend court despite being aware of the hearing date and urged the judge to compel his appearance through a bench warrant.

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Although Sowore had sent a letter requesting an adjournment, Justice Umar ruled that the explanation provided was inadequate and insufficient to justify his absence. The court subsequently revoked his bail and directed that he be arrested and produced before the court.

The DSS prosecution of Sowore stems from allegations that he made defamatory statements against President Bola Tinubu, including describing the Nigerian leader as “a criminal” in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.

According to the DSS, the statements were false, injurious and capable of damaging the reputation of the President. The agency insists that the matter falls within the ambit of applicable laws governing criminal defamation and cyber-related offences.

Sowore has, however, consistently rejected the allegations, maintaining that his comments were political opinions protected by the constitutional right to freedom of expression. His legal team has argued that the charges amount to an attempt to criminalise criticism of public office holders and suppress dissenting views.

The case has attracted widespread attention across Nigeria, drawing reactions from civil society organisations, human rights advocates, political activists and legal practitioners. Many observers view the proceedings as a significant test of the balance between freedom of expression and the enforcement of laws governing online communication.

Monday’s proceedings were marked by heightened security around the Federal High Court complex as supporters and observers closely monitored developments. Following the ruling, court officials processed the remand order, paving the way for Sowore’s transfer to the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further hearings.

The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the court also expected to consider pending applications from the defence. Legal analysts say the outcome of the case could have broader implications for political speech, digital rights and the boundaries of public criticism in Nigeria’s democracy.

For now, Omoyele Sowore remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he will stay pending the next stage of proceedings in the closely watched case.