The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday transferred former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, following an order by the Federal High Court in Abuja for the commencement of his 75-year prison sentence.
Court Orders Immediate Imprisonment
Justice James Omotosho directed the anti-graft agency to hand over the convict to prison authorities after Mamman was presented before the court over his conviction and subsequent arrest after allegedly fleeing Abuja. The court also entertained a consequential application filed by the EFCC seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties traced to the former minister.
Lead prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that the application, dated May 25, 2026, sought orders for the forfeiture of the properties linked to the convict.
Testimony from Relative
During the proceedings, the judge heard evidence from one Shamsudeen Mohammed, identified as Mamman's relative, who disclosed that the former minister had traveled from Abuja to Kaduna by taxi shortly after his conviction and sentencing. Mohammed told the court that Mamman had been receiving traditional medical treatment while hiding in Kaduna.
“My name is Shamsudeen Mohammed. He is my relative. He was sick and I was helping him to take his traditional medicine. He was brought by a taxi from Abuja to Kaduna,” he said. He added that he did not know the owner of the apartment where Mamman was allegedly hiding in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State.
Sentence Commences Immediately
Justice Omotosho informed Mamman that his prison sentence would begin immediately. “The sentence starts to run from today. You were in Abuja when the judgment was passed. You left alone in a taxi to Kaduna. I have done my work. Today is the commencement of your sentence,” the judge said.
Mamman, however, told the court that his absence during earlier proceedings was due to ill health. The judge subsequently recounted the court's May 7 judgment in which Mamman was convicted on all counts brought against him by the EFCC.
Forfeiture of Properties
The anti-graft agency further requested the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the former minister. The properties include Walijam Apartments on Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna; two mansions on Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza on Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Although Mamman's counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, was reportedly informed of the forfeiture application, he was absent in court. A lawyer said to represent him allegedly declined to accept the court documents before leaving the courtroom. Responding to enquiries from the bench, Mamman stated that he had not spoken with his lawyer since his arrest by EFCC operatives on May 19, 2026.
Court Adjourns Forfeiture Hearing
Ruling on the forfeiture request, Justice Omotosho held that an adjournment was necessary to ensure fair hearing for the convict. “For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will give adjournment for hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,” the judge held.
The court ordered that Mamman be personally served with the application to enable him engage counsel of his choice and adjourned the matter until June 8, 2026, for hearing.
Details of Conviction
The EFCC had prosecuted Mamman on an amended 16-count charge bordering on money laundering and acquisition of properties worth billions of naira outside the financial system, involving over N33.8 billion. Justice Omotosho convicted him on May 7, 2026, and sentenced him on May 13, 2026, to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment.
Following repeated absences from court proceedings, including during his conviction and sentencing, the court had earlier issued a warrant for his arrest. The EFCC said its operatives arrested Mamman on May 19, 2026, at his hideout in Rigasa, Kaduna State, after what it described as intensive surveillance and intelligence gathering operations.
