The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, days after he was convicted and sentenced in absentia over alleged money laundering involving funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
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EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed that Mamman was arrested at about 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday in Kano.
Olukoyede said the former minister was arrested alongside two other persons who were allegedly shielding him from law enforcement authorities.
Speaking during a press briefing, the EFCC chairman said Mamman had been on the run after his conviction by the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the alleged diversion of more than ₦33 billion linked to the power projects.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you will recall that sometime in January 2025, we filed charges against the ex-Minister of Power for allegedly converting over ₦33 billion, money that was set aside for the Mambilla and Zungeru power projects,” Olukoyede said.
“About 14 to 15 months down the line, specifically on the 7th of this month, we secured convictions on all 12 counts. Because the defendant was not present, the issue of sentencing was shifted. And on the 13th of this month, he was sentenced in absentia.
“Since then, we decided to open our intelligence surveillance to the public, looking for him all over the place. I am happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested Mr. Saleh Mamman somewhere in Kano.”
Olukoyede said preliminary findings showed that the former minister had been protected while evading authorities.
“We have discovered that he was actually being protected all this while,” he said.
He added that the building where Mamman was arrested is currently being investigated.
The EFCC chairman described the arrest as proof of the commission’s determination to ensure that persons who misappropriate public funds do not escape justice.
“It is to assure Nigerians that anyone who has taken government or national resources will not go unpunished, and the eagle eye of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are hiding,” he said.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had, on May 13, sentenced Mamman in absentia to a total of 75 years’ imprisonment after convicting him on all 12 counts filed against him by the EFCC.
The court held that the former minister deliberately stayed away from court proceedings in an attempt to frustrate the administration of justice.
The judge sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment each on Counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without an option of fine.
He was also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on Count 4 with an option of a ₦10 million fine, and two years’ imprisonment on Count 5 without an option of fine.
Mamman served as Minister of Power before his removal from office. His case is among several corruption-related matters involving former public officials and alleged abuse of office.
The anti-graft agency is expected to announce further steps following his arrest.
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