The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released mugshots of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, following his arrest by operatives of the anti-graft agency.
Mamman, who was recently convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged financial misconduct, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday after weeks of surveillance by EFCC operatives.
Images released by the commission showed the former minister in handcuffs while holding a booking board, as he was processed after his arrest.
The EFCC confirmed that Mamman is currently in its custody and will remain detained pending further legal procedures.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said the arrest took place in Kaduna State where the former minister was found alongside two individuals accused of assisting him while he was on the run.
“I’m happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested Mr. Saleh Mamman,” Olukoyede said.
He added that the property where the arrest was made is also under investigation as part of ongoing inquiries linked to the case.
According to court records, a Federal High Court in Abuja had last week sentenced Mamman to 75 years imprisonment in absentia after finding him guilty on multiple counts of money laundering and fraud involving about N33.8 billion tied to power projects.
Olukoyede described the arrest as a demonstration of the commission’s commitment to ensuring accountability and recovering stolen public funds.
“This is a test of the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the fight against corruption,” he said, adding that “anyone who has dipped into government or national resources will not go unpunished.”
He warned that evasion would not shield suspects from prosecution, insisting that the EFCC would continue its pursuit of individuals involved in financial crimes.
“The eagle eye of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are hiding,” he stated.
The EFCC chairman further assured Nigerians that investigations and prosecutions would continue without exception, regardless of the status of those involved.
“We are working. There is no area that we will not go into,” he said. “We will not leave any area untouched just to ensure that we fulfil our mandate.”
The commission added that Mamman will face further legal proceedings as investigations into the case continue.
