The drama surrounding Nigeria’s former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has taken a dramatic turn. Just days after a Federal High Court in Abuja slammed him with a staggering 75-year prison sentence in absentia, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have successfully tracked him down.

If you're wondering how a high-profile politician thought he could vanish into thin air—and how the law ultimately caught up with him—here is the inside scoop on the midnight raid that ended his run.

The 75-Year Sentence and the Great Escape

The trouble escalated on May 13, 2026, when a Federal High Court found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts of corruption leveled against him. Because he failed to show up in court, the judge handed down the massive 75-year sentence in absentia.

Immediately after the gavel fell, Mamman went off the radar, prompting the EFCC to launch a nationwide manhunt.

"Immediately the judgment was delivered, we spread our dragnet in search of him following weeks of intensive surveillance and intelligence gathering." — EFCC Insider Source

How the EFCC Closed the Net: A Midnight Raid in Kaduna

Despite his best efforts to stay hidden, Mamman made a classic mistake: his phone.

Using advanced digital tracking and intelligence gathering, EFCC operatives managed to ping his location. He wasn't in a luxury mansion or fleeing across the border; instead, he was holed up in an apartment in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State.

The Arrest Timeline:

  • The Hunt: Lasted nearly a week following the May 13 court sentencing.

  • The Strike: EFCC operatives moved in during the early hours of Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

  • The Catch: Mamman was officially arrested at exactly 3:30 a.m.

He Didn't Go Down Alone

Mamman wasn't operating solo. The EFCC confirmed that two other individuals were arrested during the raid. They are being charged with harboring a convicted fugitive and aiding his attempt to evade justice.

"No One is Above the Law" — EFCC Chairman Reacts

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede hailed the operation as a major victory for Nigeria's anti-corruption crusade.

Olukoyede noted that the commission had been relentlessly pursuing the case for over a year.

  • 14 to 15 Months: The duration of the intense trial leading to the conviction.

  • 12 Counts: The number of corruption charges Mamman was found guilty of.

"I am happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested him somewhere in Kaduna," Olukoyede stated, emphasizing that the arrest is a clear demonstration of the Federal Government's unwavering resolve to combat high-level corruption.

What’s Next?

With the former minister now in custody, the EFCC is expected to process him for immediate transfer to a correctional facility to begin serving his 75-year term.