EFCC arrests Buhari's ex-Minister over alleged 22bn fraud

An emerging report by The Cable has it that Sale Mamman, former minister of power, has been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with an alleged N22 billion fraud.

Mamman, who was a minister under President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was arrested in the wee hours of Wednesday, May 10, and is being detained at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja.

The arrest is connected to investigations into alleged corruption in the execution of some power projects.

Mamman is accused of conspiring with staffs of the ministry in charge of the accounts of the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects to divert N22 billion and share among themselves.

The investigations uncovered properties in Nigeria and overseas allegedly linked to the suspects, while millions of naira and dollars have reportedly been recovered.

In another development, former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, has been granted permission to seek medical treatment outside the shores of Nigeria.

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, May 8, granted leave to Fayose, who is facing money laundering charges, to travel for medical treatment.

Justice C.J. Aneke granted the leave following an application to that effect by Fayose’s lawyer, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), who was represented at the Monday proceedings by Mr Ahmed T.