ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Nigeria’s former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, following his high-profile conviction and sentencing in absentia last week.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede confirmed that operatives apprehended the former minister at 3:30 am on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Kaduna.
Key Details of the Arrest
Location: Mamman was tracked down and arrested at a private residence in Kaduna.
Accomplices Apprehended: Two individuals who were reportedly harboring and protecting the fleeing convict were arrested alongside him.
Active Investigation: The house where Mamman was hiding is currently being searched and investigated by anti-graft agents.
[May 7, 2026: Convicted of N33.8bn Fraud]
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[May 13, 2026: Sentenced to 75 Years in Absentia]
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[May 19, 2026: Arrested by EFCC in Kaduna (3:30 AM)]
The Backstory: A 75-Year Prison Sentence
Mamman’s arrest comes exactly six days after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced him to 75 years in prison on May 13, 2026, for his involvement in a $\text{NGN } 33.8\text{ billion}$ money laundering and fraud scheme.
Because Mamman had skipped his court dates and disappeared, the sentence was handed down in absentia. Justice Omotosho had ordered all national security agencies and Interpol to hunt down the former minister, ruling that his prison sentence would officially commence the day he was taken into custody.
Case Overview:
The Charges: Mamman was found guilty on all 12 counts of conspiracy and money laundering preferred against him by the EFCC.
The Diversion: The court established that Mamman siphoned funds earmarked for critical national infrastructure, specifically the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects, using Bureau de Change operators to convert public funds into foreign currencies.
Asset Forfeiture: Alongside the prison sentence, the court ordered the final forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from Mamman, as well as four choice properties in Abuja.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why was Saleh Mamman sentenced in absentia?
A1: Saleh Mamman repeatedly skipped his scheduled court appearances. On May 11, 2026, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after his continuous absence. Because he remained in hiding, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court proceeded with the final sentencing on May 13, 2026, in accordance with Section 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Q2: What are the details of the 75-year prison sentence?
A2: The 75-year prison term is broken down across multiple counts. The court sentenced Mamman to 7 years in prison on 10 of the counts, 3 years on count four, and 2 years on count five. Because the presiding judge ruled that these sentences must run consecutively (one after the other) rather than concurrently, the total physical time he is expected to serve adds up to exactly 75 years, without the option of a fine.
Q3: What were the Zungeru and Mambilla projects?
A3: These are massive, critical national infrastructure assets. The Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects were designed to generate thousands of megawatts of electricity to stabilize Nigeria’s chronically struggling national power grid. The EFCC successfully proved that Mamman, alongside ministry officials and shell companies, converted and laundered $\text{NGN } 33.8\text{ billion}$ originally budgeted for these vital plants.
Q4: Who were the other people arrested alongside the former minister?
A4: During the 3:30 AM raid on May 19 in Kaduna, EFCC operatives arrested two other individuals who were inside the residence. These accomplices are accused of harboring, protecting, and facilitating the escape of a convicted fugitive, and they are currently under active investigation.
Q5: What happens now that Mamman has been arrested?
A5: According to the court order issued by Justice Omotosho, Mamman’s 75-year prison sentence officially commences on the day of his arrest. He is expected to be immediately transferred from EFCC custody to the Nigerian Correctional Service to begin serving his term.
Context of His Tenure
Saleh Mamman, 68, served as Nigeria’s Minister of Power under President Muhammadu Buhari from August 2019 until he was unceremoniously dismissed during a cabinet reshuffle in September 2021.
With his arrest on Tuesday morning, Mamman is expected to be handed over to the Nigerian Correctional Service immediately to begin serving his consecutive prison terms.
More details to follow as the EFCC continues its investigation into the Kaduna hideout.
