The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has transferred former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Kuje, Abuja, following an order by the Federal High Court directing the commencement of his 75-year prison sentence.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, gave the order on Tuesday after the EFCC presented Mamman before the court.
A statement issued by EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, revealed that the court session also featured the filing of a consequential order by the anti-graft agency seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the former minister.
According to the statement, the prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the application dated May 25, 2026, requested an order for the forfeiture of the properties.
During the hearing, the court heard testimony from Shamsudeen Mohammed, who identified himself as a relative of Mamman.
Mohammed told the court that the former minister travelled from Abuja to 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.
He further disclosed that he was unaware of the owner of the apartment where Mamman was allegedly hiding in Rigasa, Kaduna State.
“I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one,” he added.
Justice Omotosho informed the former minister that his prison sentence would commence immediately following the proceedings before the court.
“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 stated.
Responding before the court, Mamman claimed that his absence during the proceedings was due to health challenges.
The judge also revisited portions of the May 7 judgment while considering the EFCC’s application seeking the forfeiture of additional assets allegedly linked to the former minister.
The properties listed in the forfeiture application include Walijam Apartments located at Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited 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 located on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Atteh, was absent during the proceedings despite reportedly being informed about the forfeiture application by the prosecution team.
A lawyer believed to be representing the former minister allegedly refused to accept the court documents and later exited the courtroom without notifying either the court or the prosecution.
When questioned by the court, Mamman stated that he had not communicated with his lawyer since his arrest by EFCC operatives on May 19, 2026.
Ruling on the forfeiture request, Justice Omotosho held that the matter required an adjournment to ensure the convict was granted 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 ruled.
The court directed that Mamman should be personally served to enable him secure legal representation of his choice and adjourned the case until June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
Saleh Mamman was sentenced on May 13, 2026, to 75 years imprisonment after being convicted for diverting public funds amounting to approximately N33.8 billion.
The former minister was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court for the conclusion of his trial but was later arrested by EFCC operatives in Kaduna State last week.
