Nigerian authorities have arrested former Power Minister Saleh Mamman, a week after he was sentenced to 75 years in prison for corruption and subsequently went into hiding. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that Mamman was detained in the early hours of Tuesday in Kaduna state, a region in Nigeria's north, following what the agency described as "weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering."
Mamman had been convicted earlier this month by a court in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, on 12 counts related to the diversion of public funds intended for two hydroelectric power projects. The judge ruled that prosecutors had proved their case beyond reasonable doubt, finding that Mamman and his associates had diverted at least 22 billion naira — approximately $14 million — through proxy companies and associates. Because Mamman failed to appear for the verdict, he was sentenced in absentia. The multiple prison terms, running consecutively across the charges, amount to a combined 75 years. He also faces a separate corruption trial in Abuja involving allegations of fraud worth 31 billion naira, and a second court issued an arrest warrant against him this month after he again failed to appear.
Mamman served as Nigeria's minister of power between 2019 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede emphasised that ensuring the former minister actually serves his sentence was a priority. "For us, getting the convict to serve his jail terms is extremely important in view of the seriousness with which we are tackling corrupt practices," he said.
The case has reignited public frustration over Nigeria's chronic electricity crisis. Despite being one of Africa's largest energy producers, the country continues to suffer from persistent blackouts that cripple homes and businesses. Many Nigerians depend on fuel-powered generators as a substitute for unreliable grid electricity — a burden made worse by rising fuel costs. The fact that Mamman had publicly promised to improve power supply while in office has sharpened the sense of betrayal.
His arrest is being noted as a significant moment in Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts. High-level convictions of senior officials are rare in the country, and cases of convicted politicians evading custody have historically eroded public confidence in the justice system. The successful apprehension of Mamman is seen as a sign that authorities are willing to follow through, though observers note that sustained accountability for powerful figures remains an ongoing challenge.