The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has transferred former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, following a Federal High Court order enforcing his 75-year prison sentence.
Justice James Omotosho directed the EFCC to hand over Mamman to prison authorities after he was brought before the court following his conviction and subsequent arrest after allegedly fleeing Abuja.
The court also considered a consequential application filed by the EFCC seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties linked to the former minister.
Prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the application, dated May 25, 2026, sought the forfeiture of properties traced to the convict.
During proceedings, a witness identified as Shamsudeen Mohammed, described as Mamman’s relative, told the court that the former minister had travelled from Abuja to Kaduna by taxi shortly after his conviction.
He also claimed Mamman had been receiving traditional medical treatment while in 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,” the witness said.
Justice Omotosho informed Mamman that his sentence had already commenced and would run from the date of judgment.
“The sentence starts to run from today,” the judge ruled, adding that Mamman had left Abuja for Kaduna after judgment was delivered.
Mamman, however, told the court that his absence during earlier proceedings was due to ill health.
The judge also referenced the May 7 judgment in which Mamman was convicted on all counts brought by the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency is additionally seeking forfeiture of properties including luxury apartments and commercial buildings located in Abuja and Kaduna, allegedly linked to proceeds of crime.
The listed properties include Walijam Apartments in Wuse 2, Bloom Luxury Suites in Kaduna, two mansions on Misratah Street, and A.U.A. Plaza in Abuja.
Although Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Atteh, was reportedly notified, he was absent in court during the forfeiture hearing.
The court, however, held that Mamman must be given adequate opportunity to respond and adjourned the matter for further hearing.
Justice Omotosho ordered that Mamman be personally served with the forfeiture application to ensure fair hearing.
The case is connected to an amended 16-count charge involving alleged money laundering and diversion of more than ₦33.8 billion.
Following repeated absences from earlier proceedings, the court had issued a warrant for Mamman’s arrest, which was executed on May 19, 2026, in Kaduna State after surveillance operations by EFCC operatives.
The matter has been adjourned to June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
