Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the transfer of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Kuje, Abuja, to begin serving his 75-year prison sentence.
The order was issued on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented Mamman before the court and filed a consequential application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the convict.
During the proceedings, 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 for the forfeiture of the properties.
The court also heard testimony from Shamsudeen Mohammed, who disclosed that Mamman fled Abuja for Kaduna shortly after his 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 told the court.
Asked about the apartment where Mamman was allegedly hiding in the Rigasa area of Kaduna, Mohammed said: “I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one.”
Addressing Mamman, Justice Omotosho stated that his prison sentence would take effect immediately.
“The sentence starts to run from today. You were in Abuja when the judgement was passed. You were in Abuja when the sentence was passed. You left alone in a taxi to Kaduna. I have done my work. I just have to inform you because today is the commencement of your sentence,” the judge said.
Mamman, however, told the court that he stayed away from proceedings because of ill health.
The judge also revisited details of his May 7 judgment before the EFCC requested the forfeiture of five more Abuja properties allegedly linked to the former minister.
The properties include Walijam Apartments located at No. 43, Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in 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, was reportedly informed about the forfeiture application, he was absent from court.
According to the court proceedings, the lawyer who appeared on his behalf allegedly refused to accept the application and later left the courtroom without notifying either the court or the prosecution team.
Responding to questions from the judge, Mamman disclosed that he had not spoken with his lawyer since his arrest by EFCC operatives on May 19, 2026.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that fairness required granting an adjournment on the forfeiture application.
“For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will give adjournment for hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,” he ruled.
The judge directed that Mamman be served personally to enable him engage a lawyer of his choice and adjourned the matter until June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
The EFCC had prosecuted Mamman on an amended 16-count charge bordering on money laundering and the acquisition of multi-million naira properties outside the financial system, involving the sum of N33.8 billion.
Justice Omotosho convicted him on all counts on May 7, 2026, before sentencing him to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment on May 13, 2026.
Following repeated absences during trial, including during his conviction and sentencing, the court had issued a warrant for his arrest.
The EFCC later announced that operatives arrested Mamman on May 19, 2026, at his hideout in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State alongside his relative, Shamsudeen Mohammed.
