THE ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who was recently convicted and sentenced in absentia by a Federal High Court, Abuja, for financial crimes.
The EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, told a news conference on Tuesday, in Abuja that Mamman was arrested in Rigasa in Kaduna around 3.30 am on Tuesday.
Olukoyede said that Mamman, who had since been on the run, was arrested along with two other persons who were harbouring him.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had on May 13, sentenced Mamman to 75 years in prison in absentia for laundering N33.8 billion.
He was convicted of 12 counts of money laundering and fraud amounting to N33.8 billion, connected to the diversion of funds from the Mambilla and Zungeru hydropower projects.
While commending operatives for the arrest, Olukoyede described the development as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
“We want to let Nigerians know about the new development in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
“You will recall that sometime in January 2025, we filed a charge against the former Minister of Power for allegedly converting over N33 billion money that was set aside for the Manbila and Zungeru power projects.
“About 14 months, 14 months down the line, but specifically on the 7th of this month, we secured conviction on all the 12 counts.
“But because the main defendant was not present then, he went into hiding, the issue of sentencing was shifted. And on the 13th of this month, he was sentenced in absentia as we know.”
According to him, since then, the commission has decided to open its intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, looking for him all over the place.
“I’m happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3.30am today (Tuesday), we arrested Mr Saleh Mamman somewhere in Kaduna.
“This is a test of the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the fight against corruption in Nigeria, and to assure Nigerians that anyone who has defrauded government or national resources will not go unpunished.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are hiding. So, it’s important for us to let Nigerians know that we are working.
According to him, this is a test of the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
“The eagle eye of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are hiding,” he said.
He said that the convict was presently in EFCC custody, adding that procedures for his transfer to the correctional facility were underway.
He further explained that the two persons arrested along with him were under investigation.
“We have discovered that he was actually being protected all this while, and where we effected the arrest, we arrested two other Nigerians who live alongside.
“Also, the property, the ownership of the property and all of that, they are still under investigation. Because it’s actually a crime for you to harbour, or to protect, or to give protection to a convicted fellow.”
Olukoyede further said the commission would expand its investigations to cover additional properties allegedly linked to the convict, noting that fresh assets had already been discovered.
The EFCC boss said that the commission had learnt its lesson over the convict case and henceforth would place surveillance on individuals, especially high-profile persons under trial.
“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.” (NAN)
