The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has transferred former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja to begin serving his 75-year prison sentence for money laundering.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, gave the directive on Tuesday after the EFCC produced the former minister in court.
The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement posted on its X handle, adding that the court also considered a consequential application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the convict.
Mamman was convicted on May 7 on all counts of an amended 16-count charge bordering on money laundering involving over ₦33.8 billion. He was later sentenced in absentia on May 13 to a total of 75 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved the alleged diversion of funds linked to major power projects, including the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects, as well as the alleged acquisition of multi-million-naira properties.
Following his conviction and sentencing, Mamman reportedly left Abuja for Kaduna State before EFCC operatives arrested him on May 19 in the Rigasa area of Kaduna, alongside a relative.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, one Shamsudeen Mohammed, identified as Mamman’s relative, told the court that the former minister travelled from Abuja to Kaduna by taxi 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 said.
Asked about the apartment where Mamman allegedly stayed in Kaduna, Mohammed said he did not know the owner of the property.
“I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one,” he added.
Addressing the former minister in court, Justice Omotosho informed him that his sentence would begin to run from Tuesday.
“The sentence starts to run from today. You were in Abuja when the judgment 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 he stayed away from proceedings because of ill health.
The EFCC is also seeking the forfeiture of five properties in Abuja and Kaduna allegedly linked to him.
The properties listed by the commission 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; another 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, was said to have been informed about the forfeiture application, he was absent from court.
A lawyer said to be representing the former minister reportedly declined to accept the application and left the courtroom.
When asked by the judge, Mamman said he had not been in contact with his lawyer since his arrest by the EFCC on May 19, 2026.
Justice Omotosho adjourned hearing on the forfeiture application to June 8, 2026, to allow the former minister respond.
“For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will give adjournment for hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,” the judge held.
