Saleh Mamman, the former Minister of Power, was moved by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja after a court ordered him to start serving a 75-year prison sentence for money laundering.
The directive was issued on Tuesday by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, following the convict’s court appearance by the EFCC.
This was revealed by the EFCC in a statement that was shared on its X handle.
The anti-graft agency claims that the court also considered a consequential application that called for the forfeiture of five more properties that were purportedly connected to the former minister.
Remember that on May 7, Mamman was found guilty on all counts of a 16-count amended charge that involved money laundering of more than ₦33.8 billion.
On May 13, he received an in absentia sentence of 75 years in prison.
The case concerned the illegal purchase of properties worth millions of naira and the misappropriation of money associated with significant power projects, such as the hydroelectric projects in Zungeru and Mambilla.
Before EFCC agents detained him and a family member on May 19 in the Rigasa neighborhood of Kaduna, the former minister fled Abuja for Kaduna State.
Shamsudeen Mohammed, a relative of Mamman, testified before the court during the proceedings that the former minister took a taxi from Abuja to Kaduna following 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, “I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one.”
Concerning 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 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 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 the convict.
“They are: Walijam Apartments, located at No.43, Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites NigeriaLimited, Located at No 5, Amana Crescent, New Estate Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; a mansion on No 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; a mansion on No 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja and A.U.A. Plaza, situated on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja,” the statement read.
Justice Omotosho adjourned hearing on the forfeiture application until June 8, 2026, to allow the former minister respond to the application.
“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.
Always be truthful in all you do because you don’t know what will happen next.
