Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered the immediate transfer of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, to begin serving his 75-year jail term over money laundering and illegal property acquisitions linked to N33.8 billion.
The order followed Mamman’s appearance in court after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission re-arrested him over his absence during previous court proceedings.
During the hearing, the EFCC also filed an application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly traced to the former minister.
Counsel to the prosecution and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the Federal Government was seeking the final forfeiture of the properties.
One Shamsudeen Mohammed, who identified himself as Mamman’s relative, told the court that the former minister travelled from Abuja to Kaduna by taxi after his conviction and was receiving traditional treatment while in hiding.
“My name is Shamsudeen Mohammed. He is my relative. He was sick and I was helping him to take his traditional medicine,” he said.
Addressing the convict, Justice Omotosho declared that the prison sentence would begin immediately.
“The sentence starts to run from today. You were in Abuja when the judgment was passed. You left alone in a taxi to Kaduna,” the judge said.
Mamman, however, told the court that ill health was responsible for his absence during proceedings.
The court also heard that the EFCC was seeking the forfeiture of additional Abuja properties allegedly linked to the former minister, including apartments, mansions and plazas located in Wuse 2 and Kaduna State.
Although Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Atteh, was said to have been informed about the forfeiture application, he was absent from court.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned hearing on the forfeiture request till June 8, 2026, to allow the former minister secure legal representation and defend himself.
Mamman was earlier convicted on all 16 counts of money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets outside the financial system involving N33.8 billion.
The judge had sentenced him on May 13, 2026, to a cumulative 75-year prison term after finding him guilty on all charges.
Following his disappearance after conviction, the court issued a warrant for his arrest before EFCC operatives tracked and arrested him at a hideout in Rigasa, Kaduna State, on May 19, 2026.
