Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to transfer former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, to begin serving his 75-year prison sentence.
The order was issued on Tuesday after the EFCC presented Mamman before the court and filed a consequential application 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, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the application dated May 25, 2026, sought an order for the forfeiture of the properties.
During the proceedings, the court heard from one Shamsudeen Mohammed, identified as Mamman’s relative, who disclosed that the former minister fled Abuja for Kaduna State by taxi two days 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,” Mohammed told the court.
He added that he did not know the owner of the apartment where Mamman was allegedly hiding in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State, saying it was a rented apartment.
Justice Omotosho told Mamman that his prison sentence would commence immediately following the proceedings.
“The sentence starts to run from today. You were in Abuja when the judgment 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 told the court that his absence from earlier proceedings was due to ill health.
The judge also revisited aspects of his May 7 judgment before hearing the EFCC’s application for the forfeiture of five additional properties in Abuja and Kaduna allegedly linked to the convict.
Although Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh (SAN), was reportedly informed of the application, he did not appear in court. A representative sent by the lawyer allegedly declined to accept the forfeiture application and left the courtroom without notifying the court or prosecution team.
Responding to the judge’s inquiry, Mamman said he had not been in contact with his lawyer since his arrest by the EFCC on May 19, 2026.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned proceedings on the forfeiture application until June 8, 2026, to allow Mamman fair hearing and time to engage legal representation of his choice.
“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 EFCC had prosecuted Mamman on an amended 16-count charge bordering on money laundering and acquisition of multi-million naira properties outside the financial system, involving alleged funds totaling N33.8 billion.
Justice Omotosho convicted Mamman on all counts on May 7, 2026, before sentencing him to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment on May 13, 2026.
Following repeated absences from court proceedings, including during his conviction and sentencing, the judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
EFCC operatives later arrested Mamman on May 19, 2026, in a hideout in Rigasa, Kaduna State, alongside his relative, Shamsudeen Mohammed, after what the commission described as intensive surveillance and intelligence operations.
