By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, following his conviction over corruption charges linked to the diversion of public funds.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed that Mamman was apprehended around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday in Kaduna after a court order directed security agencies to arrest him wherever he was found.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier convicted the former minister on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and diversion of about N22 billion meant for power projects.
The court held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced Mamman to multiple prison terms across the counts. The sentences are to run consecutively, amounting to a total of 75 years imprisonment.
Justice Omotosho also ruled that the jail term would begin from the date of Mamman’s arrest.
In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of all recovered funds and properties linked to the convict to the Federal Government. Mamman was equally directed to refund the outstanding balance of the diverted funds connected to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
The EFCC had arraigned the former minister over alleged fraudulent transactions involving funds allocated for major electricity infrastructure projects under the Ministry of Power.
The Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric projects are regarded as key national power initiatives designed to improve electricity generation and strengthen energy supply across the country.
