By Amofokhai Williams
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in Kaduna State after weeks of surveillance following his disappearance after conviction over multi-billion naira corruption linked to Nigeria’s power sector projects.
Mamman, who had gone underground after being convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, was apprehended in the Rigasa area of Kaduna in the early hours of Tuesday during what the anti-graft agency described as an intelligence-driven operation.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed the arrest while briefing journalists, saying the commission was determined to ensure that convicted public officials serve their jail terms.
“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,” Olukoyede said.
“The court convicted him in absentia after agreeing with the Commission that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.”
The EFCC boss said the former minister disappeared shortly after his conviction, forcing the commission to launch an intensive manhunt involving surveillance and intelligence gathering across several locations.
“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,” Olukoyede stated.
“We will process his transmission to the Correctional Centre accordingly.”
Justice James Omotosho had ruled that the EFCC successfully proved that Mamman and his associates diverted at least ₦22 billion meant for the execution of the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
The judge described the diversion of funds meant for critical national infrastructure as a gross abuse of public trust, adding that the former minister used proxy companies and associates to siphon public money.
Mamman, who served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was sentenced to multiple jail terms across 12 counts.
The court imposed seven-year prison terms on 10 counts without an option of fine, three years imprisonment on another count with an option of ₦10 million fine, and two years imprisonment on an additional count.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the sentences run consecutively, bringing the total prison term to 75 years.
The court had earlier ordered Mamman’s arrest after he failed to appear for sentencing on May 13, prompting the judge to proceed with sentencing in absentia.
Apart from the conviction, the former minister is also facing another corruption trial before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over alleged ₦31 billion fraud.
Justice Maryanne Anenih had earlier issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court in the separate case involving him and seven other defendants.
The latest arrest is being seen as one of the EFCC’s biggest anti-corruption breakthroughs in recent months as the commission intensifies efforts to track and prosecute politically exposed persons accused of looting public funds.
