Saleh Mamman
EFCC arrests former Minister Saleh Mamman hours after his conviction in absentia
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has taken into custody a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who was recently convicted and sentenced by the Federal High Court in Abuja over financial misappropriation.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede confirmed the arrest during a press conference at the agency’s headquarters on Tuesday, stating that Mamman was apprehended in the early hours of the same day.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had last week handed down a 75-year prison sentence to Mamman in absentia.
He was found guilty on 12 counts of money laundering and fraud involving N33.8 billion, linked to the diversion of funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydropower projects.
Olukoyede revealed that the former minister was arrested in Kaduna State, along with two individuals who were harbouring him. The house where the arrest took place is now under investigation.
“I am happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested Mr. Saleh Mamman,” Olukoyede said.
He described the operation as proof of the Federal Government’s dedication to combating corruption and warned that anyone who diverts public resources would ultimately face justice.
“This is a test of the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the fight against corruption… to assure Nigerians that anyone who has dipped into government or 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 hiding,” Olukoyede stated.
He assured citizens that the EFCC would continue probing both public and private individuals accused of corruption, vowing to leave no area unexplored in fulfilling its mandate.
The EFCC chairman noted that charges had been filed against the former minister earlier, around January 2025, regarding the alleged conversion of over N33 billion set aside for the Mambilla and Zungeru power projects. After roughly 14 months of prosecution, the commission secured a conviction on all 12 counts on May 7.
Sentencing was initially postponed due to the defendant’s absence from court, but judgment was eventually delivered in absentia on May 13. Following that, the EFCC activated its intelligence, surveillance, and recovery operations to track him down.
When asked why Mamman was in EFCC custody rather than a correctional facility, Olukoyede explained that the arrest had just been carried out and procedures for his transfer were already in motion.
Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, added that the court had ordered all security agencies to ensure the convict had no hiding place and directed his transfer to a correctional centre.
He said the EFCC’s operation demonstrated improved inter-agency collaboration in enforcing court judgments.
“The process of transmitting him to the correctional centre is ongoing. The Commission has not just arrested him; it has ensured the sentence is being executed,” Oyedepo said.
On whether those who allegedly aided the fugitive would face prosecution, the EFCC stated that investigations were ongoing and that anyone found to have harboured a convicted felon would be held accountable under the law.
Olukoyede further announced that the commission would expand its probe to cover additional properties linked to the convict, noting that new assets had already been uncovered.
He also said the agency would review its procedures for monitoring high-profile suspects on trial, calling for closer surveillance in future cases to prevent escape from jurisdiction.
“Going forward, there is a need for us to also review our processes, particularly as it relates to ongoing court proceedings. For every high-profile case, 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 who is under criminal trial or prosecution to escape from jurisdiction. So, we are going to look at it. We are going to work with the court. We are going to follow all legal and judicial processes to ensure that all potential defendants in criminal cases are placed under surveillance,” he said.
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