EFCC Transfers Ex-Power Minister to Kuje Prison to Begin 75-Year Jail Term
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 the Federal High Court in Abuja for the commencement of his 75-year prison sentence.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, gave the order on Tuesday after Mamman was presented before the court by the EFCC following his recent arrest in Kaduna State.
The proceedings 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.
Counsel to the prosecution and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that the application dated May 25, 2026 sought an order for the forfeiture of the properties traced to the convict.
During the hearing, the court heard from one Shamsudeen Mohammed, a relative of Mamman, who disclosed that the former minister fled Abuja for Kaduna 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,” 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, while addressing Mamman, said 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 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 judgment for you to know why the conviction and sentencing were done,” the judge said.
Mamman told the court that his absence from proceedings was due to ill health.
The judge subsequently reviewed portions of the May 7 judgment before the court entertained the EFCC’s application for the forfeiture of additional assets.
The properties listed in the application include Walijam Apartments located on Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Unguwan Rimi, 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), was said to have been informed about the forfeiture application, he was absent from court. A legal representative reportedly sent by him allegedly declined to accept the application and left the courtroom without notifying either the court or the prosecution.
Responding to the court’s inquiry, Mamman said he had not communicated with his lawyer since his arrest by the EFCC on May 19, 2026.
Ruling on the forfeiture request, Justice Omotosho held that an adjournment was necessary 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,” the judge ruled.
He directed that Mamman be served personally to allow him engage counsel of his choice and adjourned the matter till June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
The EFCC had prosecuted Mamman on an amended 16-count charge bordering on money laundering and the purchase of multi-million naira properties outside the financial system, involving about N33.8bn.
Justice Omotosho convicted the former minister on all counts on May 7, 2026, and sentenced him to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment on May 13.
The court had earlier issued a warrant for his arrest over repeated absences during trial, including during his conviction and sentencing proceedings.
The EFCC subsequently announced that its operatives arrested Mamman on May 19 in his alleged hideout in Rigasa, Kaduna State, following what it described as intensive surveillance and intelligence operations.