After conviction, ex-power minister Saleh Mamman transfered to Kuje prison
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.
James Omotosho, judge of federal high court in Abuja, on Tuesday ordered Mamman’s transfer to the correctional facility.
BACKGROUND
On May 7, Mamman was convicted on all 12 counts preferred against him by the EFCC and later sentenced in absentia to 75 years in prison.
The former minister was sentenced to seven years each on 10 counts, while he received three years and two years each on counts four and five.
The judge held that the sentence would run consecutively without the option of a fine, except on count four, which carries an option of a N10 million fine.
The judge had issued an arrest warrant against him following his absence from court.
On May 19, the anti-graft agency announced that Mamman was arrested in Kaduna.
TUESDAY’S PROCEEDINGS
According to EFCC, during the resumption of court proceedings, Shamsudeen Mohammed, a relative of the former minister, said Mamman was in Abuja within the period of his conviction and sentencing and later fled to Kaduna sate through a taxi — two days after the judgement.
Mohammed said that he did not know who owned the apartment where Mamman was hiding in Rigasa, 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 on the sentence, the judge told Mamman that his prison time began immediately after the court proceedings on Tuesday.
“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,” he 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.”
ASSET FORFEITURE
During the court proceedings, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, sought an asset forfeiture order on five additional properties in Abuja linked to Mamman.
The properties were listed as 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 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 anti-graft agency said Femi Atteh, Mamman’s counsel, was absent in court despite being briefed about the asset forfeiture application.
The EFCC added that the lawyer who appeared for Atteh in court declined to accept the application and left the courtroom without notifying both the court and the prosecution team.
When asked by the judge why his counsel was absent, Mamman said he had not been in contact with him since his arrest and detention by the EFCC on May 19.
The judge said an adjournment was necessary on the forfeiture application in the interest of fair hearing.
The case was adjourned to June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture application.
