N22 Billion Fraud: EFCC obtains warrant to further detain ex-power minister Sale Mamman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained a remand warrant to detain Sale Mamman, a former minister of power, for further questioning, the Gazette can report.

The EFCC arrested and detained Mr Mamman on Wednesday after he showed up for questioning at the anti-graft authority’s headquarters in Abuja.

“He is still with us,” a source said. “The Commission has secured a remand warrant to keep him in our detention for further questioning in regard to his involvement in the alleged fraud.”

Sources at the Commission told The Gazette under anonymity because they are not allowed to speak to the press that Mr Mamman was offered bail for his release on Thursday, but no one has come to perfect his bail.

“The minister was offered bail, but no one has come forward to take him on bail.”

Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson for the EFCC, did not respond to multiple calls and messages as of the time of filing this report.

Mr Mamman was appointed as power minister by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 but was sacked in 2021, following a minor cabinet reshuffle.

The former minister is being investigated over his alleged involvement in conspiring with staff 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.

According to reports, ongoing investigations by the EFCC had revealed several properties in Nigeria and overseas allegedly linked to the former minister, with millions of naira and dollars recovered.

The Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects has been a source of controversies over the years.

The EFCC had in November of last year launched an investigation into the controversial $5.8 billion Mambilla Hydro Electric Power project contract to Sunrise Power.

The current power minister, Abubakar Aliyu, had disclosed that the Sunrise litigation on the project was the only problem hampering its commencement.

“The EFCC has stepped into the matter and we have given them information about it. We have given them the history of the power project. Our lawyers have interfaced with the anti-graft agency. Unless we are able to pull out of litigation, we can’t do anything.

“I don’t think the investor will bring his money where there is encumbrance,” he said in a report published by the Sun newspaper.