A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the transfer of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje to begin serving his 75-year prison sentence over a multi-billion naira money laundering case.
The order was issued on Tuesday by James Omotosho, following Mamman’s appearance before the court after his recent arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
During the proceedings, the EFCC also filed a consequential application 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, told the court that the application sought the forfeiture of properties traced to the convict.
The properties include:
Walijam Apartments, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State A mansion at No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja A mansion at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja A.U.A Plaza, Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja
The court also heard that Mamman fled Abuja to Kaduna shortly after his sentencing and was later arrested in Rigasa, Kaduna State, following what the EFCC described as intensive intelligence gathering and surveillance operations.
A relative of the former minister, Shamsudeen Mohammed, informed the court that Mamman had been receiving traditional medical treatment while hiding in Kaduna.
Justice Omotosho stated that Mamman’s prison sentence officially commenced on Tuesday, noting that the former minister was absent during both his conviction and sentencing.
“You were in Abuja when judgment was delivered and later travelled to Kaduna,” the judge reportedly told the convict during the session.
Mamman explained that his absence from court proceedings was due to ill health.
The court, however, adjourned hearing on the fresh forfeiture application until June 8, 2026, to allow the former minister obtain legal representation and respond to the application.
The EFCC had prosecuted Mamman on a 16-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and unlawful property acquisition involving over ₦33.8 billion.
He was convicted on all counts on May 7, 2026, and subsequently sentenced to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment on May 13, 2026.
Following his repeated absence from court proceedings, Justice Omotosho earlier issued a warrant for his arrest before EFCC operatives eventually apprehended him in Kaduna on May 19, 2026.