Saleh Mamman jail term begins in Kuje after a Federal High Court order following his conviction over N33.8bn fraud

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, was on Tuesday transferred to the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, following an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja directing the immediate commencement of his 75-year prison sentence.

Also read: EFCC arrests Saleh Mamman in fresh crackdown on corruption case

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, issued the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission presented the former minister before the court following his arrest in Kaduna State.

The proceedings also featured a fresh application by the EFCC seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to Mamman, according to a statement issued by the commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale.

Counsel for the prosecution and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the application, dated May 25, 2026, requested the forfeiture of the assets.

During the hearing, one Shamsudeen Mohammed, who identified himself as a relative of the convict, informed the court that Mamman travelled from Abuja to Kaduna by taxi shortly after his conviction and sentencing.

Mohammed said the former minister had been receiving traditional treatment due to ill health.

“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 told the court.

Mohammed also stated that he did not know the owner of the apartment in Rigasa, Kaduna, where Mamman was allegedly hiding before his arrest.

Justice Omotosho informed the former minister that the sentence would take immediate effect from Tuesday’s 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,” the judge said in a stern remark before ordering his remand in Kuje prison.

Mamman told the court that his absence from earlier proceedings was due to health challenges.

The court also revisited aspects of its May 7 judgment while considering the EFCC’s fresh forfeiture request involving several high-value properties in Abuja and Kaduna.

The assets listed by the anti-graft agency included 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 during the proceedings despite reportedly being notified about the forfeiture application.

A lawyer said to be representing the former minister allegedly declined to accept the application before leaving the courtroom without notifying either the court or the prosecution team.

Responding to enquiries from the bench, Mamman said he had not communicated with his lawyer since his arrest by EFCC operatives on May 19, 2026.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Omotosho adjourned proceedings on the forfeiture application until June 8, 2026, to allow the convict secure legal representation and prepare his defence.

“For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will give adjournment for hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,” the judge held.

The court directed that Mamman be personally served with the application to ensure fair hearing.

The Saleh Mamman jail term followed his conviction on May 13, 2026, over the diversion of public funds amounting to about N33.8bn.

Also read: Court jails ex-minister Saleh Mamman for 75 years over ₦33.8bn fraud

The former minister was sentenced in absentia after failing to appear for the conclusion of his trial before he was eventually tracked and arrested by EFCC operatives in Kaduna last week.