The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman, days after he was convicted and sentenced in absentia by the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede confirmed the arrest during a press briefing on Tuesday, stating that the former minister was apprehended at about 3:30 a.m. in Kano.

According to Mr Olukoyede, the anti-graft agency had been tracking the former minister since his conviction earlier this month.

“You will recall that sometime in January 2025, we filed charges against the ex-minister of power for allegedly converting over ₦33 billion meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru power projects,” Mr Olukoyede said.

“About 14 to 15 months down the line, specifically on the 7th of this month, we secured convictions on all 12 counts. Because the defendant was not present, sentencing was shifted. On the 13th of this month, he was sentenced in absentia.

“Since then, we expanded our intelligence surveillance, looking for him all over the place. I am happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested Mr Saleh Mamman somewhere in Kano,” he added.

The EFCC boss said Mr Mamman was arrested alongside two other persons accused of shielding him from law enforcement authorities.

“We have discovered that he was actually being protected all this while,” he said, adding that the commission would investigate the residence where the former minister was apprehended.

Mr Olukoyede described the arrest as further evidence of the federal government’s commitment to tackling corruption.

“It is to assure Nigerians that anyone who has taken government or national resources will not go unpunished, and the eagle eye of the EFCC will always catch up with you wherever you are hiding,” he said.

On 13 May, Justice James Omotosho convicted Mr Mamman on all 12 counts filed against him by the EFCC over ₦33.8 billion in money laundering offences linked to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.

The court sentenced him to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment, with the sentences ordered to run consecutively.

Justice Omotosho held that Mr Mamman’s repeated absence from court proceedings amounted to a deliberate attempt to frustrate the administration of justice.

The former minister received seven-year prison terms on Counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without the option of a fine.

He was also sentenced to three years imprisonment on Count 4 with an option of a ₦10 million fine, while Count 5 attracted a two-year prison term without an option of fine.

The judge further directed security agencies to work with Interpol to ensure Mr Mamman’s arrest and prosecution.