The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has succeeded in fishing out former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman from his hiding place.
The commission announced Mamman’s arrest today during a media briefing in Abuja, over alleged diversion of more than N33 billion meant for the Mambilla power project and other electricity schemes.
He had earlier been convicted on a 12 count charge, the court ordering security agencies to apprehend him.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, who announced the arrest said the former minister was apprehended around 3:30 a.m. in Kaduna after intensified intelligence and surveillance operations.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you will recall that sometime in January 2025, charges were finally filed against the former Minister for allegedly obtaining over N33 billion meant for the Mambilla and other power projects”, Olukoyede began, adding:
“About 14 or 15 months down the line, specifically on the 7th of this month, we secured 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.”
“This is a testament to the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the fight against corruption and an assurance to Nigerians that anyone who has looted government and national resources will not go unpunished.
“The eagle eye of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are.”
He added that the commission would leave no stone unturned in investigating and prosecuting anyone found to have stolen public funds.
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Asked whether the former minister was in the custody of the commission, Olukorode responded in the affirmative, adding that the process of transferring him to a correctional facility was in progress.
“ I told you the man was arrested at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, and there was no way we could immediately take him to a correctional facility. We have our own facilities,” he said.
“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”, the EFCC chairman stated.
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