EFCC transfers former Power Minister to correctional centre

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to hand over the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, for the commencement of his 75-year prison term.

The order for Mamman’s transfer followed his presentation before Justice Omotosho on Tuesday by the EFCC, alongside the filing of a Consequential Order by the Commission for the forfeiture of five new properties traced to the convict.

The prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, stated that the Consequential Order, dated May 25, 2026, seeks a court order for the permanent forfeiture of the properties.

During the proceedings, Justice Omotosho learned from one Shamsudeen Mohammed that Mamman was in Abuja during the period of his conviction and sentencing but fled to Kaduna State in a taxi just two days after he was sentenced.

Following inquiries from the judge, the relative said, “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 further stated that he did not know who owned the apartment where Mamman was hiding in Rigasa, Kaduna, adding, “I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one.”

Regarding his transfer to the Correctional Centre, Justice Omotosho informed Mamman that his prison time began immediately after the court proceedings.

“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, on his part, stated that he stayed away from the court proceedings because he was battling ill health.

Justice Omotosho then gave a recap of his May 7 judgment for Mamman to hear.

Thereafter, the EFCC sought an asset forfeiture order on five additional Abuja and Kaduna properties linked to Mamman. These are: Walijam Apartments, located at No. 43, Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, located at No. 5, Amana Crescent, New Estate Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; a mansion at No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; a mansion at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza, situated on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Although Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, had been briefed on the asset forfeiture application by the prosecution counsel well in advance, he failed to show up in court. The legal representative he sent curiously refused to accept the forfeiture application and left the courtroom without notifying either the court or the prosecution team.

Responding to the judge’s inquiry as to why his counsel was absent, Mamman disclosed that he had not been in contact with his lawyer since he was arrested and taken into custody by the EFCC on May 19, 2026.

In his decision, Justice Omotosho held that an adjournment was necessary regarding the forfeiture application in the interest of a fair hearing. “For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will give an adjournment for a hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,” he said.

He directed that Mamman be served directly so that he could engage a counsel of his choice, and subsequently adjourned the matter to June 8, 2026, for a hearing on the forfeiture application.

The EFCC prosecuted Mamman on an amended 16-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of ₦33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo) and purchasing multi-million naira properties without passing through the financial system.

Justice Omotosho convicted him on all counts on May 7, 2026, and on May 13, 2026, sentenced him to a total of 75 years imprisonment. Due to his long record of absenteeism in court, including during his conviction and sentencing, Justice Omotosho had issued a bench warrant for the convict’s arrest.

Following intensive surveillance and intelligence gathering, EFCC operatives arrested the fleeing Mamman in the early hours of Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at his hideout in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State, alongside his relative, Shamsudeen Mohammed.