The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who had been evading authorities since his conviction and sentencing. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede announced the arrest during a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, as reported by Daily Trust. Olukoyede stated that Mamman was apprehended at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State.
Details of the Arrest
According to a statement released by the EFCC following the press conference, Mamman was taken into custody in Kaduna. The statement quoted Olukoyede as saying, "On May 7, 2026, Justice James Omotosho found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts bordering on diversion of funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects. The court convicted him in absentia after agreeing with the Commission that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt."
The statement, which included a mugshot of the convict, confirmed that Mamman would be transferred to a correctional facility. Olukoyede emphasized the importance of ensuring the convict serves his sentence, stating, "For us, getting the convict to serve his jail terms is extremely important in view of the seriousness with which we are tackling corrupt practices. It is this resolve that made us deploy intelligence to tracking and arresting the convict. We will process his transmission to the Correctional Centre accordingly."
Background of the Case
On May 7, 2026, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Mamman on all 12 counts of diverting funds allocated for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects. The judge ruled that the EFCC had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, noting that the prosecution established that Mamman and his associates stole at least N22 billion. The court found that the evidence was sufficient to sustain the charges, and the defense failed to present credible material to challenge the prosecution's case.
Justice Omotosho condemned the diversion of funds, describing it as a breach of public trust. He noted that Mamman used proxy companies and associates to move funds and benefit from public resources intended for critical national infrastructure. Mamman served as Minister of Power from 2019 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, overseeing major federal hydroelectric projects, including the Mambilla and Zungeru power projects.
Sentencing and Abscondment
After the conviction, the judge ordered Mamman's arrest and production in court on May 13 for sentencing. However, Mamman was nowhere to be found on that date, forcing the court to proceed with sentencing in his absence. Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to seven years' imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, without an option of a fine. On count 4, he imposed a three-year jail term with an option of a N10 million fine, and on count 5, a two-year sentence without a fine option.
In a rare show of toughness, the judge ordered that the sentences run consecutively rather than concurrently. A concurrent term would have resulted in only seven years, but the consecutive terms amount to a total of 75 years in prison. Mamman, who is 68 years old, faces this lengthy sentence. Additionally, an arrest warrant issued by the FCT High Court in Abuja on May 11, 2026, for his absence from proceedings in a separate N31 billion fraud trial involving him and seven others, remains active.
