Nigeria has arrested a former minister who had been in hiding for months following a corruption conviction, sources close to the investigation have confirmed. The arrest occurred early this morning in a suburb of Lagos, where the official had been living under an assumed identity. Uncovered documents show the former minister attempted to move millions of dollars through shell companies in the weeks after the conviction.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) executed the arrest without incident. The former minister, whose name is being withheld pending formal charges, was convicted in absentia last year for embezzling public funds intended for infrastructure projects. He had been on the run since the verdict and was believed to have fled the country.
However, intelligence reports suggest he never left. Sources say the EFCC tracked him through financial transactions linked to a Lagos property company. The arrest marks a significant victory for the anti-corruption agency, which has faced criticism for failing to detain high-profile convicts.
This is a developing story. More details will follow as they emerge.
