Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has transferred
former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre,
Kuje, Abuja, following an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja for the
commencement of his 75-year prison sentence.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama,
gave the order on Tuesday after Mamman was presented before the court by the
EFCC.
A statement by the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the
court proceeding also featured the filing of a consequential order by the EFCC
seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the
former minister.
Oyewale said counsel for the prosecution and Director of
Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the
application dated May 25, 2026, sought an order for the forfeiture of the
properties.
During the proceedings, the court heard from one Shamsudeen
Mohammed, who identified himself as Mamman’s relative, that the former minister
left Abuja for Kaduna State 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 to take his traditional medicine. He was brought by
a taxi from Abuja to Kaduna,” he said.
Mohammed added that he did not know the owner of the
apartment where Mamman was reportedly hiding in Rigasa, Kaduna.
“I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was
staying. It was a rented one,” he said.
Justice Omotosho informed Mamman that his prison term would
commence immediately after the proceedings.
“The sentence starts to run from today. You were in Abuja
when the judgment was passed. 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 is the commencement of your sentence,” the judge said.
Mamman told the court that he stayed away from the
proceedings because of ill health.
The judge also revisited portions of the May 7 judgment in
the case before the court, considering the EFCC’s application for the
forfeiture of additional assets.
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 informed 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 the court
or the prosecution team.
Responding to the judge’s enquiry, Mamman said he had not
been in contact with his lawyer since his arrest by the EFCC on May 19, 2026.
Ruling on the forfeiture request, Justice Omotosho held that
an adjournment was necessary to allow the convict a fair hearing.
“For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will
give adjournment for hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,”
the judge said.
The court directed that Mamman be served personally to
enable him to engage a counsel of his choice and adjourned the matter till June
8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
Mamman was sentenced on May 13, 2026, to 75 years in prison
for stealing public funds totalling about N33.8bn.
The convict was sentenced in absentia after he failed to
appear before the court for the conclusion of his trial.
He was, however, arrested by operatives of EFCC in Kaduna
last week.
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