The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has transferred former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, following an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja for the commencement of his 75-year jail term.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, gave the order on Tuesday after the former minister was brought before the court by operatives of the EFCC.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
According to the commission, the court proceedings also featured the filing of a consequential order by the EFCC seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to Mamman.
The EFCC’s counsel and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the application dated May 25, 2026, sought the forfeiture of the properties believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
During the hearing, one Shamsudeen Mohammed, who identified himself as a relative of the former minister, told the court that Mamman travelled from Abuja to Kaduna by taxi shortly after his conviction.
“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.
Mohammed also stated that he did not know the owner of the apartment where Mamman was allegedly hiding in Rigasa, Kaduna State.
“I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one,” he added.
Justice Omotosho informed the former minister that his prison sentence officially commenced 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 ruled.
Responding before the court, Mamman said he absconded from proceedings because of ill health.
The judge also revisited aspects of the court’s May 7 judgment while considering the EFCC’s application for the forfeiture of more assets allegedly tied to the convict.
The properties listed in the forfeiture request 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 lawyer, Femi Atteh, was absent during the proceedings despite reportedly being notified of the forfeiture application.
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According to the court, another lawyer said to be representing the former minister allegedly refused to accept the court documents and later left the courtroom without notifying the court or prosecution team.
When questioned by the judge, 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 the matter would be adjourned to allow the convict adequate opportunity to 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 said.
The court subsequently directed that Mamman be personally served to enable him engage a counsel of his choice and adjourned the matter till June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
Mamman was sentenced on May 13, 2026, to 75 years imprisonment for misappropriating public funds amounting to about N33.8bn.
He was convicted and sentenced in absentia after failing to appear in court for the conclusion of his trial before his eventual arrest by EFCC operatives in Kaduna last week.