May 19, (THEWILL) — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, days after he was sentenced in absentia to 75 years imprisonment over the diversion of more than ₦33.8 billion meant for the Mambilla power project and other electricity schemes.
Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ola Olukoyede, announced the arrest during a media briefing in Abuja, disclosing that the former minister was apprehended at about 3:30 a.m. in the Rigasa area of Kaduna following intensified intelligence and surveillance operations by operatives of the commission.
Olukoyede described the arrest as a breakthrough in the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign and a demonstration of the resolve of law enforcement agencies to ensure that convicted public officials do not evade justice.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you will recall that sometime in January 2025, charges were finally filed against the former Minister for allegedly obtaining over ₦33 billion meant for the Mambilla and other power projects.
“About 14 or 15 months down the line, specifically on the 7th of this month, we secured a conviction on all 12 counts. However, because the main defendant was not present, the issue of sentencing was deferred.
“On the 13th of this month, he was sentenced in absentia. Since then, we have intensified our intelligence, surveillance, and recovery operations in search of him. I am happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested Mr Saleh Mamman somewhere in Kaduna,” Olukoyede said.
THEWILL reports that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had convicted Mamman on all 12 counts of fraud and money laundering charges brought against him by the EFCC over the misappropriation of about ₦33.8 billion in public funds.
Justice James Omotosho sentenced the former minister to seven years imprisonment each on 10 counts, while he received three years imprisonment on count four and two years on count five, with the sentences running consecutively, amounting to 75 years imprisonment.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies and several high-value properties in Abuja traced to proceeds of the crime.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was found guilty of criminal breach of trust and unlawful financial transactions linked to funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.
According to the judgment, the former minister made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about ₦200 million, for the purchase of a landed property in Abuja without passing through any financial institution, contrary to the provisions of the law.
Justice Omotosho held that substantial portions of the funds were allegedly diverted through Bureau de Change operators who converted the money into foreign currencies before handing the same to the defendant.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant. The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” the judge held.
The judge further criticised the former minister’s handling of the power sector, stating that instead of leaving behind a legacy capable of improving electricity supply, he enriched himself at the expense of Nigerians.
“Rather than creating a legacy to tackle the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary citizens. Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” Justice Omotosho added.
Speaking further on Tuesday, Olukoyede confirmed that Mamman was currently in EFCC custody pending his transfer to the appropriate correctional facility.
“Yes, he is in our custody at the moment,” the EFCC chairman said.
He explained that the process of moving the convict to the prison authorities was ongoing because the arrest occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.
“There was no way we could immediately take him to a correctional facility. We have our own facilities,” he added.
Olukoyede also disclosed that two other persons were arrested during the operation, noting that investigators suspected the former minister had been shielded while evading arrest.
“We discovered that he was actually being protected. At the location where we effected the arrest, we arrested two other Nigerians, including individuals linked to the property where he was found. They are currently under investigation because it is a crime to harbour, protect, or provide shelter for a convicted felon,” he stated.
The EFCC boss further revealed that the commission had uncovered another property suspected to belong to the former minister and was taking steps to recover additional assets linked to him.
“With respect to other properties we suspect belong to him, as a matter of fact, just a few days ago we discovered another one. We are seeking to go after those properties as well,” he said.
Olukoyede admitted that the development exposed gaps in the handling of high-profile corruption cases and pledged that the commission would strengthen surveillance mechanisms to prevent suspects from absconding during trial.
“Going forward, there is a need for us to review our processes, particularly as they relate to ongoing court proceedings in high-profile corruption cases.
“As a matter of fact, for every corruption case, we must be able to place every defendant under surveillance because it is not in the interest of the country for someone standing criminal trial or facing prosecution to escape from our jurisdiction,” he said.
Also speaking, Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the arrest demonstrated that the court’s judgment was not merely symbolic.
“Barely a week after that order was made, we are hearing the good news that my Lord’s order has been complied with. The process of transferring him to the appropriate correctional centre, I believe, is ongoing.
“The important thing is that the conviction was not just symbolic. The judgment was delivered, the sentence was handed down, and now we have been able to confront the convict with the sentence,” Oyedepo stated.
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