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 former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, for the commencement of his 75-year prison term.
The order for Mamman’s transfer to the correctional centre followed his presentation before Justice Omotosho on Tuesday by the EFCC and the filing of a consequential order by the Commission for the forfeiture of five additional properties traced to the convict.
Prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, stated that the consequential order, dated May 25, 2026, sought an order of the court for the forfeiture of the properties.
During the proceedings, Justice Omotosho heard from one Shamsudeen Mohammed that Mamman was in Abuja within the period of his conviction and sentencing but fled to Kaduna State by taxi only two days after his sentencing.
Following enquiries from the judge, the relative said: “My name is Shamsudeen Mohammed. He is my relative. He was sick, and I was helping him take his traditional medicine. He was brought by taxi from Abuja to Kaduna.”
He further stated that he did not know who owned the apartment where Mamman was hiding in Rigasa, Kaduna.
“I do not know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one,” he said.
Concerning his transfer to the correctional centre, Justice Omotosho informed Mamman that his prison term commenced 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,” he said.
Mamman, on his part, stated that he stayed away from the court proceedings because he was battling ill health.
Justice Omotosho thereafter recapped his May 7 judgment for Mamman’s benefit.
Subsequently, the EFCC sought an asset forfeiture order on five additional Abuja properties allegedly linked to Mamman. They include: 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 duly briefed by the prosecution on the asset forfeiture application, he failed to appear in court. The legal representative he sent reportedly refused to accept the forfeiture application and left the courtroom without notifying either the court or the prosecution team.
Responding to the judge’s enquiry 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 EFCC custody on May 19, 2026.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that an adjournment was necessary in the forfeiture application in the interest of fair hearing.
“For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will grant an adjournment for hearing to enable the convict defend himself,” he said.
He directed that Mamman be served directly so he could engage counsel of his choice and adjourned the matter till June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
The EFCC prosecuted Mamman on an amended 16-count charge bordering on acquiring multi-million naira properties without payment through the financial system and 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).
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 repeated absenteeism in court, including during his conviction and sentencing, Justice Omotosho issued an arrest warrant against him.
Following intensive surveillance and intelligence gathering, EFCC operatives, in the early hours of Tuesday, May 19, 2026, arrested the fleeing Mamman at his hideout in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State alongside his relative, Shamsudeen Mohammed.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
May 26, 2026
