Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to transfer former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, to begin serving his 75-year prison sentence.
The order was issued on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, after the EFCC presented Mamman before the court and filed a consequential application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to him.
Counsel to the prosecution and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the application, dated May 25, 2026, sought the forfeiture of the newly discovered assets connected to the convicted former minister.
During proceedings, the court also heard from Shamsudeen Mohammed, a relative of Mamman, who disclosed that the former minister had travelled from Abuja to Kaduna by taxi shortly after he was sentenced by the court.
Mohammed told the judge that Mamman had been ill and was receiving traditional medical treatment while in hiding.
“My name is Shamsudeen Mohammed. He is my relative and was brought by a taxi from Abuja to Kaduna.
He was sick and I was helping him to take his traditional medicine.
Mohammed further stated that he did not know the owner of the apartment in Rigasa area of Kaduna State where Mamman was found.
“I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one,” he added.
Prison sentence running immediately
Justice Omotosho, while addressing Mamman, said his prison sentence would take effect immediately after the proceedings.
“The sentence starts to run from today. You were in Abuja when the judgment was passed and when the sentence was delivered.
“You left alone in a taxi to Kaduna. I have done my work. I only need to inform you that today marks the commencement of your sentence,” the judge said.
Mamman, however, explained that his absence from court proceedings was due to ill health.
The judge subsequently reviewed portions of the May 7 judgment in open court before hearing the EFCC’s application for the forfeiture of additional assets allegedly linked to the convict.
The properties listed by the anti-graft agency include Walijam Apartments located at No. 43, Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited at No. 5 Amana Crescent, New Estate Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; mansions located at No. 11 and No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A Plaza situated on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Although Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, had reportedly been notified of the forfeiture application, he was absent in court.
A lawyer sent to represent him allegedly declined to receive the application documents and left the courtroom without informing either the court or the prosecution.
No contact with legal team
When questioned by the court, Mamman stated that he had not been in contact with his legal team since his arrest by EFCC operatives on May 19, 2026.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the court would grant an adjournment on the forfeiture matter in the interest of fair hearing.
“For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will adjourn to allow the convict defend himself,” the judge ruled.
He directed that Mamman be personally served with the application to enable him engage a lawyer of his choice and adjourned the matter to June 8, 2026, for hearing.
The EFCC had prosecuted Mamman on an amended 16-count charge bordering on money laundering and the acquisition of multi-million naira properties without passing through the financial system, involving a total sum of N33.8 billion.
Justice Omotosho convicted Mamman on all counts on May 7, 2026, before sentencing him to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment on May 13, 2026.
Due to repeated absences from court proceedings, including during his conviction and sentencing, the judge had earlier issued a warrant for his arrest.
Following weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, EFCC operatives arrested Mamman on May 19, 2026, at a hideout in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State alongside his relative, Shamsudeen Mohammed.
