The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who had gone underground after his conviction by the Federal High Court in Abuja
Penpushing reports that Mamman, it would be recalled was jailed in absentia on May 7, 2026 for 75 years having been found guilty of all 12 counts of diversion of funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
The judge James Omotosho convicted Mamman having established that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved its against him beyond reasonable doubt, and condemned the diversion of funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects, describing the conduct as a breach of public trust.
Penpushing further reports that Omotosho said the prosecution established that the defendant and his associates stole at least N22 billion, describing the evidence as sufficient to sustain the charges.
The judge held that the defence failed to present credible material to challenge the case put forward by the prosecution, adding that Mamman relied on proxy companies and associates to move funds and benefit from public resources meant for critical national infrastructure.
Penpushing also reports that Omotosho equally sentenced him to a three-year jail term on Count 4 with an option of a N10 million fine and two years’ imprisonment on Count 5 without an option of a fine.
The judge ordered that the sentences attached to each of the 12 counts run consecutively, not concurrently. A concurrent term would have amounted to seven years’ imprisonment, the highest imposed for any of the counts.
Penpushing reports that the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, at a press briefing on Tuesday disclosed that Mamman was arrested at about 3.30 a.m.
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