LunagisthubEx-Power Minister Saleh Mamman Begins 75-Year Jail Term, EFCC Moves to Seize 5 More Properties
Former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman is now in Kuje Correctional Centre to serve a 75-year prison sentence for corruption. The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his transfer on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, after EFCC operatives tracked him down in Kaduna.
Justice James Omotosho directed the EFCC to hand Mamman over to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja. The order came after the EFCC presented Mamman in court and filed for the forfeiture of five new properties linked to him.
Mamman was convicted on May 7, 2026, and sentenced on May 13, 2026, to 75 years total for buying multi-million naira properties without using the financial system and laundering N33,804,830,503.73. That’s over N33.8 billion.
But he skipped court for both his conviction and sentencing. Justice Omotosho then issued an arrest warrant.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the court learned Mamman had been in Abuja when sentenced but fled to Kaduna by taxi two days later.
His relative, Shamsudeen Mohammed, told the court: “He was sick and I was helping him to take his traditional medicine. He was brought by a taxi from Abuja to Kaduna.” Shamsudeen claimed he didn’t know who owned the Rigasa, Kaduna apartment where Mamman was hiding. “It was a rented one,” he said.
EFCC operatives arrested both men on May 19, 2026, after intensive surveillance in Rigasa, Kaduna State.
Mamman blamed ill health for missing court proceedings.
Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, filed a Consequential Order dated May 25, 2026, asking the court to seize five additional properties traced to Mamman:
Mamman’s lead counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, didn’t show up in court despite being briefed. The junior lawyer he sent refused to accept the forfeiture application and left without informing the court or EFCC.
Mamman told the judge he hadn’t seen his lawyer since his May 19 arrest.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the forfeiture hearing to June 8, 2026, to give Mamman time to get a lawyer and defend himself. “For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will give adjournment for hearing on it to enable the convict to defend himself,” he ruled.
The court ordered that Mamman be served directly so he can engage counsel of his choice.
EFCC prosecuted Mamman on an amended 16-count charge. Justice Omotosho convicted him on all counts. The offenses involved N33.8 billion in money laundering and acquiring properties off the books.
His 75-year sentence is one of the longest handed to a former Nigerian minister for corruption.
Saleh Mamman’s 75-year term began May 26, 2026, in Kuje. EFCC is still tracing assets, with five more properties up for forfeiture on June 8. His arrest in Kaduna ends a week-long manhunt after he skipped sentencing.
Lunagisthub
