Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency says it has arrested former Power Minister Saleh Mamman days after he was sentenced to 75 years in prison over corruption-related offences.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that Mamman was apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday in Kaduna State following what it described as “weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering”.
In a statement, the agency said the former minister had reportedly gone into hiding after he was convicted by a court in Abuja earlier this month.
Mamman was found guilty on 12 counts linked to the diversion of funds meant for two hydroelectric power projects.
The court ruled that prosecutors proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced him in absentia after he failed to appear before the court.
His arrest is being viewed as a rare development in Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight, where convictions involving top government officials remain uncommon.
EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said authorities were committed to ensuring Mamman serves his jail term.
“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,” he said.
During the trial, the judge stated that the EFCC successfully demonstrated how Mamman and his associates allegedly diverted at least 22 billion naira intended for major electricity projects.
The court described the alleged diversion of public funds as a serious abuse of public trust, adding that proxy companies and associates were used to siphon money from the projects.
The former minister received multiple prison sentences across the charges, which are expected to run consecutively, bringing the total to 75 years.
Mamman is also facing another corruption case in Abuja involving allegations of fraud amounting to 31 billion naira. Earlier this month, another judge reportedly issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court in connection with that matter.
He served as Nigeria’s power minister between 2019 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The conviction has reignited concerns over Nigeria’s long-standing electricity challenges, especially as Mamman had promised improvements in power supply during his time in office.
Despite being one of Africa’s largest energy producers, Nigeria continues to experience persistent blackouts and unstable electricity supply affecting homes and businesses.
Many Nigerians rely heavily on fuel-powered generators, although rising fuel prices have made that increasingly difficult for households and business owners.
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