The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has transferred former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, following an order by Justice James Omotosho for the commencement of his 75-year prison sentence.
Justice Omotosho gave the order on Tuesday at the Federal High Court after the former minister was presented before the court by EFCC operatives.
In a statement issued by EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency disclosed that proceedings also featured a consequential application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to Mamman.
According to the EFCC, 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, a witness, Shamsudeen Mohammed, identified as a relative of the former minister, told the court that Mamman travelled from Abuja to Kaduna 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 told the court.
The witness added that he did not know the owner of the apartment in Rigasa, Kaduna State, where the former minister was allegedly staying.
Justice Omotosho subsequently informed Mamman that his prison sentence would begin immediately.
“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, Mamman explained that he stayed away from earlier proceedings because of ill health.
The judge 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 at No. 5 Amana Crescent, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; mansions located at Nos. 11 and 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
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 the convict allegedly declined to accept the application and later left the courtroom without informing either the court or the prosecution.
When asked by the court, Mamman said he had not communicated with his lawyer since his arrest by EFCC operatives on May 19, 2026.
Ruling on the forfeiture application, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to allow the former minister 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 subsequently directed that 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.
Mamman was sentenced on May 13, 2026, to 75 years imprisonment after being convicted of 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 before he was later arrested by EFCC operatives in Kaduna last week.
