The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman, days after he was sentenced to 75 years imprisonment for fraud and money laundering involving ₦33.8 billion.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede announced the arrest during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Mr Olukoyede, the former minister was arrested around 3:30 a.m. in Rigasa, Kaduna State, where he had allegedly been hiding since his conviction.

The EFCC also arrested two individuals accused of harbouring the former minister. Mr Olukoyede said sheltering a convicted person is a criminal offence.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had on May 13 sentenced Mr Mamman in absentia after he failed to appear in court for judgment. The court subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest.

During the proceedings, his lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court he could not reach his client and did not know his whereabouts.

Justice James Omotosho later directed the EFCC and other security agencies to work with Interpol to secure the former minister’s arrest. The judge also ruled that Mr Mamman’s prison term would begin from the date of his arrest.

The court convicted the former minister on all 12 counts filed against him by the EFCC, including fraud, money laundering and criminal breach of trust linked to funds allocated to the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.

Justice Omotosho handed down seven-year prison terms on 10 counts, alongside additional sentences of three years and two years on separate counts. The sentences are to run consecutively, with only one count carrying an option of a ₦10 million fine.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of multiple foreign currencies and four properties in Abuja traced to the former minister.

In its judgment, the court found that Mr Mamman illegally diverted public funds through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currencies on his behalf.

The judge said the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence, while the defence failed to provide credible rebuttals.

Mr Mamman served as power minister under President Muhammadu Buhari.