The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has transferred former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, following an order by the Federal High Court in Abuja for the commencement of his 75-year prison sentence.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, issued the order on Tuesday after Mamman was produced before the court by the EFCC.
According to a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the proceedings also featured the filing of a consequential application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the former minister.
Oyewale said the prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the application, dated May 25, 2026, sought an order forfeiting the listed properties to the Federal Government.
During the hearing, a witness identified as Shamsudeen Mohammed, who described himself as Mamman’s relative, told the court that the former minister travelled from Abuja to Kaduna by taxi shortly after his conviction and sentencing.
“My name is Shamsudeen Mohammed. He is my relative. He was sick, and I was helping him take his traditional medicine. He was brought by taxi from Abuja to Kaduna,” he said.
Mohammed added that he did not know the owner of the apartment in Rigasa, Kaduna State, where Mamman was reportedly hiding.
“I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented apartment,” he said.
Justice Omotosho informed Mamman that his prison sentence would take immediate effect following the proceedings.
“The sentence starts to run from today. You were in Abuja when the judgment was delivered. You were in Abuja when the sentence was passed. You left alone in a taxi for Kaduna. I have done my work. I just have to inform you because today marks the commencement of your sentence,” the judge said.
Responding, Mamman told the court that he stayed away from the proceedings due to ill health.
The judge also revisited portions of the May 7 judgment while considering the EFCC’s application for the forfeiture of additional assets allegedly linked to the convict.
The properties listed in the application include Walijam Apartments at Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited at No. 5 Amana Crescent, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; mansions located at Nos. 11 and 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A Plaza on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, was absent from court despite reportedly being notified of the forfeiture application by the prosecution.
A lawyer said to be representing him allegedly declined to accept the application and later left the courtroom without informing either the court or the prosecution team.
In response to the judge’s enquiry, Mamman stated that he had not been in contact with his lawyer since his arrest by EFCC operatives on May 19, 2026.
Ruling on the forfeiture request, Justice Omotosho held that an adjournment was necessary to ensure the convict received a fair hearing.
“For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will grant an adjournment to enable the convict defend himself,” the judge ruled.
The court subsequently directed that Mamman be personally served to allow him engage a counsel of his choice and adjourned the matter until June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
Mamman was sentenced on May 13, 2026, to 75 years imprisonment for misappropriating public funds amounting to about N33.8bn.
The former minister was convicted and sentenced in absentia after failing to appear before the court for the conclusion of his trial. He was later arrested by EFCC operatives in Kaduna last week.
