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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who was recently convicted and sentenced to 75 years in prison for money laundering and fraud amounting to N33.8 billion.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede announced the arrest at a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, confirming that Mamman was apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday in Kaduna State, along with two individuals who were protecting him.
“I’m happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested Mr. Saleh Mamman,” Olukoyede said.
A Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Mamman in absentia last week on 12 counts of money laundering and fraud connected to the diversion of funds from the Mambilla and Zungeru hydropower projects.
Olukoyede described the arrest as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and warned that anyone involved in diverting public resources would eventually face justice.
“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 dipped into government or national resources will not go unpunished,” he said.
“The eagle eye of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are hiding.”
N33.8 Billion Naira Power Fraud: EFCC Apprehends Former Minister, Saleh Mamman in Kaduna pic.twitter.com/KVCw1juZM7
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) May 19, 2026
The EFCC chairman said the commission had filed charges against the former minister in January 2025 for allegedly converting over N33 billion set aside for the Mambilla and Zungeru power projects.
“About 14 to 15 months down the line, specifically on the 7th of this month, we secured a conviction on all 12 counts,” Olukoyede stated.
He explained that sentencing was initially delayed because the defendant was absent from court, but judgement was eventually delivered in absentia on May 13.
“Because the main defendant was not present then, the issue of sentencing was shifted, and on the 13th of this month, he was sentenced in absentia,” he added.
Olukoyede disclosed that the commission immediately activated intelligence and recovery operations to track down the former minister after the sentencing.
“Since then, we have decided to open our Intelligence, Surveillance and Recovery operations, looking for him all over the place,” he said.
The EFCC chairman said the house where Mamman was arrested is currently being investigated. He also noted that fresh assets allegedly linked to the convict had already been discovered, and investigations would be expanded to cover additional properties.
In response to enquiries about why Mamman was being held by the EFCC rather than in prison, Olukoyede stated that the arrest had just taken place and that the transfer process was in progress.
Rotimi Oyedepo, the Director of Public Prosecution, stated that after the conviction, the court ordered all security services to make sure the prisoner had nowhere to hide and to transfer him to a correctional facility.
“The process of transmitting him to the correctional centre is ongoing. The Commission has not just arrested him; it has ensured the sentence is being executed,” Oyedepo said.
The EFCC stated that investigations were ongoing and noted that anyone found to have harboured a convicted felon would be prosecuted.
Olukoyede said the commission would review its procedures for monitoring high-profile suspects on trial, noting that future cases may require closer surveillance to prevent escape from jurisdiction.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“We are going to follow all legal and judicial processes to ensure that all potential defendants in criminal cases are placed under surveillance.”
