The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained and arrested Sale Mamman, a former minister of power, in relation to an alleged N22 billion scam.
Mamman, who served as a minister under President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was detained at the anti-graft agency’s Abuja headquarters after being apprehended early on Wednesday, according to reports.
Investigations into alleged wrongdoing in the management of various power projects are related to the arrest.
Mamman is accused of planning to embezzle N22 billion and divide it among himself and other ministry employees who were in charge of the finances for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
The investigations uncovered properties in Nigeria and overseas allegedly linked to the suspects, while millions of naira and dollars have reportedly been recovered.
SaharaReporters had reported in September 2021 that Mamman was relieved of his ministerial job by President Buhari.
Mamman was said to have been living at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja for more than three weeks on the bills of some powerful interests in the power sector, who were hoping he would still be in the office to be able to award lucrative contracts to them.
“He has been living permanently at Transcorp Hilton since early August. His bills were being covered by elements in the power sector who were looking forward to more lucrative contracts before the bad news of his dismissal struck yesterday,” the source was quoted to have added.
