The dramatic fall of former Nigerian power minister, Saleh Mamman, has entered a new chapter after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly tracked him down and arrested him in Kaduna State.
The arrest came just days after a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced the former minister over a massive ₦33.8 billion fraud case linked to major power projects in Nigeria.
For many Nigerians, the development feels like a political thriller unfolding in real time, from the courtroom to an early morning arrest operation.
Arrested at 3:30 AM
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed that Mamman was arrested around 3:30 am during an operation carried out in Kaduna.
According to the anti-graft agency, two other individuals were arrested alongside the former minister.
The commission alleged that the suspects may have been helping to shield Mamman from security agencies following his conviction.
The property where he was found has now reportedly become part of an ongoing investigation.
From Powerful Minister to Convicted Fugitive
Not long ago, Mamman occupied one of the most powerful positions in government as Nigeria’s Minister of Power.
Today, he stands convicted of corruption charges tied to funds meant for critical electricity projects that millions of Nigerians hoped would improve the nation’s struggling power supply.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier found him guilty on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.
The case focused heavily on financial transactions linked to the controversial Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects.
The ₦33.8 Billion Scandal
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sentenced Mamman to a combined 75 years in prison after finding him guilty on all charges filed by the EFCC.
According to the judgment, the former minister was accused of diverting billions of naira connected to major power infrastructure projects.
The sentence was ordered to run consecutively and was set to begin from the date of his arrest.
That ruling immediately triggered efforts by security agencies to locate him.
Court Ordered Interpol to Hunt Him Down
In one of the most dramatic aspects of the case, the court reportedly directed security agencies, including Interpol, to arrest Mamman wherever he was found and transfer him to the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The order intensified speculation that authorities feared the former minister could evade justice.
His eventual arrest in Kaduna now marks the beginning of the enforcement phase of the court’s judgment.
EFCC Expands Investigation
The EFCC says investigations are now extending beyond Mamman himself.
Authorities are reportedly examining the residence where he was arrested to determine whether it was used to conceal him after the judgment.
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The two individuals arrested alongside him are also being questioned over their alleged relationship with the convicted former minister and any possible involvement in helping him avoid arrest.
A Bigger Message to Nigeria’s Political Elite?
Beyond the headlines and courtroom drama, Mamman’s case is already fueling a wider national debate.
Many Nigerians are now asking whether this signals a genuine crackdown on corruption among powerful political figures — or simply another high-profile case that will eventually fade from public attention.
For citizens battling poor electricity despite billions spent on power projects over the years, the scandal hits particularly hard.
The same projects meant to light up homes and power businesses are now at the center of one of Nigeria’s biggest corruption convictions in recent times.
And as the investigation deepens, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether this case truly marks a turning point in the fight against corruption — or just another chapter in a familiar political cycle.
