The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has transferred former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, following an order by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for the commencement of his 75-year prison sentence.
Justice James Omotosho gave the order on Tuesday after Saleh Mamman was presented before the court by operatives of the EFCC.
In a statement issued by EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency disclosed that the proceedings also featured the filing of a consequential application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to Saleh Mamman.
According to Dele Oyewale, 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 for the forfeiture of the listed assets.
During the proceedings, the court heard testimony from Shamsudeen Mohammed, who identified himself as a relative of Saleh Mamman. He told the court that the former minister travelled from Abuja to Kaduna State in a 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.
Shamsudeen Mohammed further stated that he did not know the owner of the apartment in Rigasa, Kaduna State, where Saleh Mamman was reportedly staying.
“I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one,” he added.
Justice James Omotosho subsequently informed Saleh Mamman that his prison sentence 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.
Responding before the court, Saleh Mamman explained that he stayed away from earlier proceedings because of ill health.
Justice James Omotosho also revisited aspects of the May 7 judgment while considering the EFCC’s application for the forfeiture of additional assets allegedly connected to the former minister.
The properties listed in the application include Walijam Apartments at Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited located at No. 5 Amana Crescent, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; mansions situated at Nos. 11 and 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Saleh Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, was absent from court despite reportedly being notified of the forfeiture application by the prosecution team.
A lawyer said to be representing Saleh Mamman allegedly declined to accept the application and later left the courtroom without notifying either the court or the prosecution.
Responding to an enquiry by Justice James Omotosho, Saleh Mamman stated that he had not communicated with Femi Atteh since his arrest by EFCC operatives on May 19, 2026.
Delivering his ruling on the forfeiture application, Justice James Omotosho held that the matter would be adjourned to allow the convict 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 ruled.
The court thereafter directed that Saleh Mamman be personally served to enable him engage a lawyer of his choice and adjourned the matter until June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
Saleh Mamman was sentenced on May 13, 2026, to 75 years imprisonment for diverting public funds amounting to about N33.8 billion.
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.
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