By Our Reporter
ABUJA — Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately transfer the convicted former Minister of Power, Engr. Saleh Mamman, to the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.
The order effectively signals the formal commencement of the 75-year prison sentence handed down to the former minister earlier this month following his conviction on high-profile corruption charges.
The directive for Mamman’s transfer to the correctional facility followed his dramatic reappearance in court on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
He had been produced by operatives of the anti-graft agency following his arrest after a brief period on the run. Concurrently, the EFCC filed a Consequential Order seeking the final forfeiture of five newly discovered choice properties traced to the convict across Abuja and Kaduna State.
During the high-stakes proceedings, shocking details emerged regarding how the former minister temporarily evaded authorities after his conviction.
Justice Omotosho learned from a witness and relative of the convict, identified as Shamsudeen Mohammed, that Mamman was physically present in Abuja at the time of his conviction and sentencing but fled to Kaduna State in a commercial taxi just two days later.
Responding to stern inquiries from the presiding judge, Mohammed explained his role in the saga.
”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 testified.
He further claimed ignorance regarding the ownership of the safe house where the former minister was holed up in the Rigasa area of Kaduna, stating, “I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one.”
’Your Sentence Begins Today’
Addressing the former minister directly on the issue of his transfer to the Kuje facility, Justice Omotosho firmly dismissed any notions of further delay, clarifying that Mamman’s prison term officially took effect from the day’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 to Kaduna,” the judge noted.
“I have done my work. I just have to inform you because today is the commencement of your sentence. I will read the judgment for you to know why the conviction and sentencing were done.”
Defending his absence from the landmark court session where he was jailed, Mamman pleaded ill health, telling the court that he had been battling severe medical complications. Justice Omotosho, however, proceeded to read a comprehensive recap of his May 7 judgment to the hearing of the convict.
Fresh Forfeiture Moves and Legal Drama
The prosecution team, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, presented a Consequential Order dated May 25, 2026, praying the court for the forfeiture of an additional five multi-million naira properties linked to Mamman.
The prime assets listed by the EFCC include:
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 Luxury Mansion at No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
A Luxury Mansion at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
A.U.A. Plaza, situated on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
The courtroom proceedings took a bizarre turn when it was revealed that despite being served with the asset forfeiture application well in advance, Mamman’s lead counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, failed to appear.
In a surprising twist, a junior legal representative sent by the defense team staged a quiet protest, refusing to formally accept service of the forfeiture application before abruptly walking out of the courtroom without notifying either the bench or the prosecution team.
When questioned by Justice Omotosho about the whereabouts of his legal representation, a visibly exhausted Mamman disclosed that he had been completely out of touch with his legal team since he was re-arrested and taken into custody by the EFCC on May 19, 2026.
Delivering a bench ruling on the asset forfeiture application, Justice Omotosho held that despite the conduct of the defense counsel, the court must uphold the principles of natural justice and fair hearing.
”For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will give an adjournment for hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,” the judge ruled.
Consequently, Justice Omotosho ordered that the forfeiture processes be served directly on Mamman within the custodial facility to enable him to properly brief a counsel of his choice.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till June 8, 2026, for the hearing of the forfeiture application.
