Amanze Chinonye
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, weeks after he was convicted over the diversion of billions of naira meant for critical power projects in Nigeria, Prime Business Africa reports.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, disclosing that Mamman was apprehended at about 3:30 a.m. in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State after weeks of intensive surveillance and intelligence operations by operatives of the Commission.
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Olukoyede said the former minister had gone underground after his conviction by the Federal High Court in Abuja, while a bench warrant had earlier been issued for his arrest on May 11, 2026, by Justice Maryanne Anenih following his failure to appear for proceedings in a separate alleged N31 billion fraud case involving him and seven others.
“I’m happy to announce to Nigerians that at 3:30 this morning, we arrested Saleh Mamman,” Olukoyede said while addressing journalists.
According to the EFCC chairman, the former minister disappeared shortly after he was convicted on corruption charges linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Justice James Omotosho had on May 7, 2026, found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts bordering on the diversion of funds earmarked for the execution of the hydroelectric projects. The court convicted him in absentia after ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Olukoyede said securing the convict to serve his prison sentence remained a major priority for the anti-graft agency.
“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,” he said.
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In his judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the EFCC successfully established that Mamman and his associates diverted not less than N22 billion meant for the execution of critical power projects. The court also ruled that the defence failed to provide credible evidence capable of discrediting the prosecution’s case.
The judge described the diversion of funds allocated to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects as a gross abuse of public trust, noting that proxy companies and associates were allegedly used to siphon public funds meant for national infrastructure development.
Mamman, who served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 under Late former President Muhammadu Buhari, oversaw Nigeria’s power sector and major hydroelectric projects during his tenure.
Following his conviction, the court ordered that he be arrested and produced before it on May 13, 2026, for sentencing. However, he failed to appear in court, prompting the judge to proceed with sentencing in his absence.
Justice Omotosho subsequently sentenced Mamman to seven years imprisonment each on Counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without an option of fine. He was also sentenced to three years imprisonment on Count 4 with an option of a N10 million fine, and two years imprisonment on Count 5 without an option of fine.
The court ordered that the sentences run consecutively, bringing the total jail term to 75 years.
Apart from the conviction, Mamman is also facing another corruption trial before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over an alleged N31 billion fraud.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
