THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has transferred Saleh Mamman, a former Minister of Power who was recently convicted, to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
News Point Nigeria reports that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered Mamman’s transfer to the correctional facility following proceedings in the case involving the former minister.
Recall that on May 7, Mamman was convicted on all 12 counts preferred against him by the EFCC and subsequently sentenced in absentia to 75 years imprisonment.
The former minister received seven years imprisonment each on 10 counts, while he was sentenced to three years and two years imprisonment respectively on counts four and five.
Justice Omotosho held that the sentences would run consecutively without the option of a fine, except for count four, which carries an option of a N10 million fine.
The court had earlier issued a warrant for Mamman’s arrest following his absence during the delivery of judgment and sentencing.
On May 19, the anti-graft agency announced that the former minister was arrested in Kaduna State.
According to the EFCC, during the resumed court proceedings, Shamsudeen Mohammed, a relative of the former minister, disclosed that Mamman was in Abuja during the period of his conviction and sentencing before allegedly fleeing to Kaduna State in a taxi two days after the judgment.
Mohammed told the court that he did not know the owner of the apartment where Mamman was reportedly hiding in the Rigasa area of Kaduna.
“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,” Mohammed told the court.
Commenting during Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho informed Mamman that his prison sentence had officially commenced immediately after the court sitting.
“The sentence starts to run from today. You were in Abuja when the judgement was passed. You were in Abuja when the sentence was passed. You left alone in a taxi to Kaduna,” the judge said.
“I have done my work. I just have to inform you because today is the commencement of your sentence. I will read the judgement for you to know why the conviction and sentencing were done,” he added.
Meanwhile, during the proceedings, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, sought an asset forfeiture order on five additional properties in Abuja allegedly linked to Mamman.
The properties listed by the anti-graft agency include Walijam Apartments located at No. 43, Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited situated at No. 5, Amana Crescent, New Estate Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; a mansion located at No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; another mansion at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza situated on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
The EFCC informed the court that Femi Atteh, counsel to Mamman, was absent during the hearing despite reportedly being notified about the forfeiture application.
According to the commission, the lawyer who appeared on behalf of Atteh allegedly declined to accept the application and subsequently left the courtroom without informing either the court or the prosecution team.
When questioned by the judge over the absence of his counsel, Mamman told the court that he had not communicated with his lawyer since his arrest and detention by the EFCC on May 19.
Justice Omotosho held that an adjournment on the forfeiture application was necessary in the interest of fair hearing.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 8, 2026, for hearing on the asset forfeiture application.