The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has taken the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, after an order from Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that he should begin serving his 75-year jail term.
The ruling was made by Justice James Omotosho on Tuesday, after Saleh Mamman was remanded in the court by operatives of the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency in a statement signed by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the proceedings also involved the filing of a subsequent application for the confiscation of five more properties allegedly linked to Saleh Mamman.
The court was told by the prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, that the application dated May 25, 2026, was seeking for an order of forfeiture of the assets named, Dele Oyewale said.
The court heard testimony during proceedings from Shamsudeen Mohammed, who said he was a relative of Saleh Mamman.
The court heard that the former minister took a cab from Abuja to Kaduna State shortly after his conviction and punishment.
“My name is Mohammed Shamsudeen.
He is a relative of mine. He was unwell and I was assisting him in taking his traditional medicine. He was carried in a cab from Abuja to Kaduna,” he added.
Shamsudeen Mohammed also said he did not know the owner of the flat in Rigasa, Kaduna State, where Saleh Mamman was apparently staying.
I don’t know who the owner of the flat he was residing in was. He indicated it was a rented one.
Justice James Omotosho then told Saleh Mamman that he would start serving his prison term immediately after the proceedings.
“From today the sentence begins. You were in Abuja when the judgement was given. You were in Abuja at the time of the sentence. You went alone by cab for Kaduna. My task is over. The judge continued, “I only have to tell you, since this is the beginning of your sentence.
Saleh Mamman, who was responding on behalf of the court, said he had been absent from previous proceedings because of ill health.
Justice James Omotosho also examined several portions of the May 7 judgement when ruling on the EFCC’s plea for the confiscation of other assets allegedly linked to the former minister.
The properties in the application are as follows: Walijam Apartments, Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, No. 5 Amana Crescent, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; mansions, Nos. 11 and 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza, Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Femi Atteh, counsel for Saleh Mamman, was not in court despite the fact that the prosecution team claimed to have alerted him of the forfeiture application.
A lawyer, claimed to be representing Saleh Mamman, was accused of refusing to accept the application and then leaving the courtroom without informing the court or the prosecution.
He told Justice James Omotosho that he had not spoken to Femi Atteh since he was arrested by the operatives of EFCC on May 19, 2026, in response to an enquiry.
Justice James Omotosho, who delivered his verdict on the forfeiture application, said the matter would be delayed to provide the convict fair hearing.
“The court will grant adjournment for hearing on forfeiture of the other properties to enable the convict defend himself,” the judge ruled.
The court therefore ordered that Saleh Mamman be served personally to let him employ a counsel of his choosing and deferred the matter for the hearing of the forfeiture application until June 8, 2026.
Saleh Mamman was convicted on May 13, 2026 to 75 years jail for embezzling state monies to the tune of around N33.8 billion.
The former minister was convicted and punished in absentia after he did not appear before the court for the conclusion of his trial.
He was nabbed last week in Kaduna by officers of the EFCC.