The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Sale Mamman, a former minister of power, over allegations of N22 billion fraud.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Mr Mamman was arrested and detained by operatives of the commission in Abuja on Wednesday after he appeared for questioning at the EFCC headquarters.

The Gazette understands that 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.

Efforts to reach the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren were unsuccessful. He did not respond to calls and text messages sent to his known phone number.

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

The current minister of power, 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.

Mr Mamman who was appointed as power minister by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 was sacked in 2021, while the administration conducted a minor shake-up amongst its cabinet members, the presidency had stated.

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