Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman Begins 75-Year Jail Term in Kuje

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has begun serving his 75-year prison sentence at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, after being transferred there by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the commencement of the sentence on Tuesday after Mamman was brought before the court by operatives of the EFCC.

According to a statement issued by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, the proceedings also featured an application seeking the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the former minister.

The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the anti-graft agency was seeking the forfeiture of several luxury properties believed to have been acquired with illicit funds.

During the hearing, a relative of the former minister, Shamsudeen Mohammed, told the court that Mamman left Abuja for Kaduna shortly after his conviction because he was ill and needed traditional treatment.

Justice Omotosho stated that the prison sentence would commence immediately, noting that Mamman had left Abuja after judgment was delivered in his absence.

“The sentence starts to run from today,” the judge said.

Mamman told the court that he failed to appear during earlier proceedings because of ill health.

The court also revisited aspects of the May 7 judgment while considering the EFCC’s request for additional asset forfeitures. The properties listed include Walijam Apartments and other buildings located in Abuja and Kaduna.

Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, was absent during the proceedings, while another lawyer said to be representing him reportedly declined service of the application before leaving the courtroom.

Responding to the judge, Mamman said he had not communicated with his lawyer since his arrest by EFCC operatives in Kaduna on May 19, 2026.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the forfeiture application until June 8, 2026, to allow the former minister secure legal representation and defend himself.

Mamman was sentenced on May 13, 2026, after the court found him guilty of diverting public funds amounting to about N33.8bn.