How EFCC hunted down ex-power minister Mamman

Details have come to light regarding how operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission apprehended former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in Kaduna State following several weeks of surveillance and intelligence collection.

Additionally, the EFCC detained two individuals who are alleged to have sheltered the former minister while he was evading capture.

Mamman was found guilty on 12 counts of money laundering and fraud, amounting to N33.8 billion, which were associated with the misappropriation of funds from the Mambilla and Zungeru hydropower projects.

Sources within the commission revealed that operatives initiated their search for Mamman immediately after a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced him to 75 years in prison in absentia last week.

According to these sources, the former minister was ultimately located through his mobile phone and discovered in an apartment situated in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State.

"As soon as the judgment was rendered, we launched our search for him after weeks of thorough surveillance and intelligence gathering, and we eventually tracked him via his phone, finding him in an apartment in the Rigasa area of Kaduna. Two individuals who provided him shelter have also been apprehended," one source stated.

The EFCC had previously confirmed Mamman’s arrest during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Chairman of the commission, Ola Olukoyede, indicated that the former minister was taken into custody at approximately 3:30 a.m. in Kaduna.

Olukoyede characterized the arrest as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to fighting corruption.

“About 14 to 15 months down the line, we secured a conviction on all 12 counts. But because the main defendant was not present, sentencing was shifted.

“On the 13th of this month, he was sentenced in absentia here. Since then, we have decided to activate our intelligence and surveillance operations, and we have been searching for him all over the place.

“I am happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested him somewhere in Kaduna.

“This is a test of the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the fight against corruption. It is to assure Nigerians that anyone who has misappropriated government or national resources will not go unpunished.

“The eagle eye of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are hiding. So it is important for us to let Nigerians know that we are working. There is no area that we will not go into.”

In response to inquiries regarding the suspect's presence in EFCC custody instead of a correctional facility, Olukoyede clarified that the arrest was made recently and that the procedures for his transfer were in progress.

The chairman of the EFCC stated that Mamman is currently in custody while awaiting his transfer to the designated correctional facility as mandated by the court order.

He also revealed that investigations concerning the two individuals arrested alongside the former minister are still ongoing.

"We have found that he was indeed being shielded all along. We apprehended two other Nigerians with him. They are currently under investigation," Olukoyede remarked.

Additionally, the Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, mentioned that the court had instructed all security agencies to ensure that the convict has no place to hide and mandated his transfer to a correctional center following his conviction.

Oyedepo indicated that the process of transferring the convict to the correctional center is underway, noting that this operation demonstrates enhanced collaboration among security agencies in executing court judgments.

Olukoyede further stated that the commission intends to reassess its procedures for monitoring high-profile suspects undergoing trial to avert any possibility of them evading justice.

Moving forward, it is essential for us to also evaluate our processes, especially concerning ongoing court proceedings.

"For every high-profile case, and indeed for every corruption case, we must ensure that every defendant is placed under surveillance.

"It is not in the nation's interest for an individual who is facing criminal trial or prosecution to evade jurisdiction. Therefore, we will address this matter. We will collaborate with the court.

"We will adhere to all legal and judicial protocols to guarantee that all potential defendants in criminal cases are monitored," he stated.