The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested Saleh Mamman, a former minister of power who was recently convicted.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the commission, said Mamman was arrested at about 3:30am on Tuesday in Kaduna state.
On May 7, Mamman was convicted on all 12 counts preferred against him by the EFCC and sentenced in absentia to 75 years in prison.
He was sentenced to seven years each on 10 counts and handed three years and two years each on counts four and five of the charge.
James Omotosho, presiding judge, held that the sentence should run consecutively without the option of a fine, except on count four, which allows for a N10 million fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies that were recovered from the ex-minister, as well as four choice properties in Abuja that were traced to him.
Omotosho also ordered all security agencies to liaise with Interpol to ensure the convict’s arrest.
The court held that the sentence should start running from the day of his arrest.
‘SALEH MAMMAN ARRESTED IN RIGASA’
“I’m happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3.30am this morning, we arrested Mr. Saleh Mamman somewhere in Rigasa, Kaduna state,” Olukoyede told journalists at the EFCC headquarters.
“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 pilfered government national resources will not go unpunished.
“The eagle eye of the Economic and Financial Times Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are hiding.”
The EFCC chairman confirmed that Mamman is currently in custody of the commission, adding that those hiding him were also arrested.
“We have discovered that he was actually being protected all this while,” Olukoyede said.
“And where we effected the arrest, we arrested two other Nigerians with him inside. The owners of the property are also under investigation because it is actually a crime for you to habour or give protection to a convict.”
By Bolanle Olabimtan