Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, weeks after he reportedly went into hiding following his conviction over the diversion of funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
Mamman was arrested in the early hours of yesterday in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State after what the EFCC described as weeks of intensive surveillance and intelligence operations.
Speaking on the development, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the Commission remained 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.”
According to the EFCC boss, the former minister allegedly went underground after the judgment, prompting the Commission to intensify efforts to track and apprehend him.
“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 added.
Justice James Omotosho had ruled that the EFCC successfully established that Mamman and his associates diverted at least N22 billion earmarked for critical electricity infrastructure projects.
The court also held that the former minister used proxy companies and associates to siphon funds intended for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydropower schemes, describing the act as a gross abuse of public trust.
Mamman, who served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, oversaw key electricity and hydroelectric projects during his tenure.
Following his conviction, the court sentenced him 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 N10 million fine and two years imprisonment on Count 5 without an option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the sentences run consecutively, bringing the cumulative jail term to 75 years.
The former minister had earlier failed to appear in court for sentencing on May 13, prompting the court to proceed in absentia and issue further directives for his arrest.
In addition to the conviction, Mamman is facing another corruption trial before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over an alleged N31 billion fraud case.
Justice Maryanne Anenih had on May 11 issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court in the ongoing matter involving him and seven other defendants.
