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| Ex- power minister Sale Mamman |
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken former Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, into custody on allegations of involvement in a N22 billion fraud. Sources within the EFCC confirmed that Mamman, who served as a minister under President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was arrested and detained at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja following his appearance for questioning on Wednesday.
Mamman's dismissal from his ministerial position in 2021 was a result of a minor cabinet reshuffle by President Buhari. The EFCC sources revealed that Mamman is being interrogated as part of an investigation into corruption allegations relating to the execution of certain power projects, with funds amounting to N22 billion being at the center of the inquiry.
"The former minister is currently being detained on suspicion of embezzlement and diversion of approximately N22 billion. He is being probed for alleged collusion with certain ministry staff responsible for the accounts of the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects, with the intention of misappropriating the funds and distributing them among themselves," stated an inside source.
Further investigations have reportedly uncovered properties in Nigeria and abroad that are purportedly linked to the suspects. In addition, substantial sums of both naira and dollars have been recovered. Despite attempts to contact EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren for comment, there has been no response to phone calls or text messages from our correspondent.
It should be noted that in November 2022, the EFCC initiated an investigation into the contentious $5.8 billion contract awarded to Sunrise Power for the Mambilla Hydro Electric Power project. Minister of Power Abubakar Aliyu revealed at the time that the ongoing litigation with Sunrise Power was the only obstacle preventing the project from commencing.
"We have provided the EFCC with all the necessary information regarding the matter. Our lawyers have been in contact with the anti-graft agency. Until we resolve the legal issues, we are unable to make progress. It's unlikely that the investor will invest in a project with such encumbrances," said Aliyu in a statement back in 2022.