Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who was recently convicted and sentenced by the Federal High Court, Abuja, for financial misappropriation.
Adressing a press conference at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed that Mamman was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had last week convicted Mamman of 12 counts of money laundering and fraud amounting to N33.8 billion, and was sentenced to 75 years in prison in absentia.
The conviction was connected to the diversion of funds from the Mambilla and Zungeru hydropower projects.
Olukoyede confirmed that the former minister was arrested in Kaduna State, along with two others who were protecting him, and that the house where the former minister was arrested is currently being investigated.
He said: “I’m happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested Mr. Saleh Mamman.
“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.
“The eagle eye of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are hiding.
“We are working. There is no area that we will not go into. We will not leave any area untouched just to ensure that we fulfil our mandate.
“We will uphold our mandate and ensure that everyone, whether private or public, will be investigated and brought to court.”