EFCC moves Saleh Mamman to Kuje prison to begin his 75‑year sentence

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has transferred former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman to the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja. The move follows an order from Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to begin Mamman’s 75‑year prison sentence.

Justice Omotosho issued the order on Tuesday after EFCC operatives presented Mamman before the court. In a statement, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said the proceedings also included an application for the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to Mamman.

Oyewale noted that the prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the application, dated 25 May 2026, sought an order to forfeit the listed assets.

During the hearing, Shamsudeen Mohammed, who identified himself as a relative of Mamman, testified that the former minister had travelled from Abuja to Kaduna State in a taxi shortly 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.

Mohammed added that he did not know the owner of the apartment in Rigasa, Kaduna State, where Mamman was reportedly staying.

“I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one,” he said.

Justice Omotosho then informed Mamman that his sentence would commence immediately after the 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 for Kaduna. I have done my work. I just have to inform you because today is the commencement of your sentence,” the judge said.

Responding in court, Mamman explained that he had stayed away from earlier proceedings because of ill health.

Justice Omotosho also revisited aspects of the 7 May judgment while considering the EFCC’s application for the forfeiture of additional assets allegedly connected to the former minister.

The properties listed in the application include Walijam Apartments at Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited at No. 5 Amana Crescent, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; mansions at Nos. 11 and 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, was absent from court despite reportedly being notified of the forfeiture application by the prosecution team. A lawyer said to be representing Mamman allegedly declined to accept the application and later left the courtroom without notifying either the court or the prosecution.

When asked by Justice Omotosho, Mamman stated that he had not communicated with Atteh since his arrest by EFCC operatives on 19 May 2026.

Delivering his ruling on the forfeiture application, Justice Omotosho held that the matter would be adjourned to allow the convict a fair hearing. “For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will give adjournment for hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,” the judge ruled.

The court directed that Mamman be personally served to enable him to engage a lawyer of his choice and adjourned the matter until 8 June 2026 for a hearing on the forfeiture application.

Mamman was sentenced on 13 May 2026 to 75 years imprisonment for diverting public funds amounting to about N33.8 billion. The former minister was convicted and sentenced in absentia after failing to appear before the court for the conclusion of his trial. He was later arrested by EFCC operatives in Kaduna last week.