The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has moved former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja after his conviction on corruption charges.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the order on Tuesday during court proceedings.
Mamman was earlier convicted on May 7 on all 12 counts filed against him by the anti-graft agency. The court sentenced him in absentia to 75 years imprisonment after he failed to appear in court.
The former minister received seven-year jail terms on 10 counts. He also got three years imprisonment on one count and two years on another count. The sentences are to run consecutively. The court allowed an option of a N10 million fine only on count four.
Following his absence during the judgement, the court issued a warrant for his arrest. The EFCC later announced on May 19 that he had been apprehended in Kaduna State.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Shamsudeen Mohammed, who identified himself as a relative of the former minister, told the court that Mamman travelled from Abuja to Kaduna shortly after the judgement.
“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.
He added that he did not know the owner of the apartment where Mamman reportedly stayed in the Rigasa area of Kaduna.
Justice Omotosho informed the former minister that his prison sentence had officially commenced.
“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.”
The EFCC also asked the court to approve the forfeiture of five additional properties in Abuja allegedly linked to Mamman.
The properties include Walijam Apartments at Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna; two mansions located on Misratah Street in Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A. Plaza on Kade Street, Wuse 2.
Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, told the court that Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Atteh, was absent despite being informed about the forfeiture application.
According to the anti-graft agency, another lawyer who appeared on behalf of Atteh refused to accept the application before leaving the courtroom without notifying the court or the prosecution team.
When questioned by the judge, Mamman said he had not spoken with his lawyer since his arrest and detention by the EFCC on May 19.
The court later adjourned the matter until June 8, 2026, for hearing on the forfeiture request.
