Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to transfer former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, to commence serving his 75-year prison sentence.
The directive came after the EFCC presented Mamman before the court and filed a Consequential Order seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the convicted former minister.
Counsel to the prosecution and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the Consequential Order dated May 25, 2026, sought the court’s approval for the forfeiture of the identified assets.
During the proceedings, Justice Omotosho was informed by one Shamsudeen Mohammed that Mamman remained in Abuja after his conviction and sentencing before travelling by taxi to Kaduna State two days later. Responding to the judge’s enquiries, Mohammed stated, “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 further said, “I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one.”
Addressing Mamman on his transfer to the correctional facility, Justice Omotosho declared that the prison sentence would take effect immediately after the proceedings.
“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. I will read the judgement for you to know why the conviction and sentencing were done,” he said.
Mamman told the court that his absence from earlier proceedings was due to ill health.
Justice Omotosho subsequently revisited the details of his May 7 judgment in the hearing of the convict.
The EFCC also applied for the forfeiture of five more properties in Abuja allegedly connected to Mamman. The properties 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; a mansion at No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; another mansion at 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 served the forfeiture application ahead of the hearing, he was absent from court. A legal representative sent on his behalf allegedly declined to receive the application and exited the courtroom without informing the court or the prosecution team.
When asked by the judge about the absence of his lawyer, Mamman said he had not spoken with his counsel since his arrest and detention by the EFCC on May 19, 2026.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the court would adjourn proceedings on the forfeiture request to ensure fair hearing. “For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will give adjournment for hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,” he said.
The judge ordered that Mamman be personally served with the application to allow 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 involving allegations of acquiring multi-million naira properties outside the financial system and laundering N33,804,830,503.73.
Justice Omotosho convicted the former minister on all counts on May 7, 2026, before sentencing him on May 13, 2026, to a cumulative 75-year jail term. Owing to repeated absences from court proceedings, including during his conviction and sentencing, the judge also issued a warrant for his arrest.
Following what the EFCC described as extensive surveillance and intelligence operations, operatives of the commission arrested Mamman in the early hours of May 19, 2026, at a hideout in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State. He was apprehended alongside his relative, Shamsudeen Mohammed.
