James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to transfer former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, for the commencement of his 75-year prison sentence.
The order followed Mamman’s presentation before the court by the EFCC and the filing of a consequential application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the convict.
During proceedings, prosecution counsel 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.
Justice Omotosho was also informed that Mamman had remained in Abuja after his conviction and sentencing before allegedly fleeing to Kaduna State by taxi two days later.
A relative of the former minister, Shamsudeen Mohammed, told the court that Mamman was ill and had travelled to Kaduna for traditional medical treatment.
“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.
Mohammed added that he did not know the owner of the apartment where Mamman was reportedly hiding in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State, describing it as a rented apartment.
Addressing the convict, Justice Omotosho said the prison sentence would commence 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,” the judge said.
Mamman told the court that his absence from proceedings was due to ill health.
Justice Omotosho thereafter recounted the court’s May 7 judgement, which convicted Mamman on all counts brought against him by the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency also requested the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the former minister.
The properties include Walijam Apartments on Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Kaduna State; two mansions on Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza on Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Although Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh (SAN), had reportedly been served with the forfeiture application, he failed to appear in court. A legal representative, said to have been sent by him, allegedly refused to accept the application and exited the courtroom without notifying the court or the prosecution team.
Responding to the judge’s enquiry, 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 the forfeiture application would be adjourned in the interest of fair hearing to allow the convict defend himself.
“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 be personally served with the application to enable him engage counsel of his choice and adjourned the matter until June 8, 2026 for hearing.
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 about 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 from court, including during his conviction and sentencing, the judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
EFCC operatives later arrested Mamman on May 19, 2026 in Rigasa, Kaduna State, following what the Commission described as intensive surveillance and intelligence gathering.
