Ex-power minister Mamman begins 75-year jail term in Kuje

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has officially commenced a 75-year prison sentence at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, following a Federal High Court order. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Mamman before Justice James Omotosho, who issued the sentence and also heard an EFCC application to forfeit five additional properties allegedly connected to the former minister.

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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.

According to EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, the prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, filed a consequential order on May 25, 2026, seeking the forfeiture of these properties. During the court session, Shamsudeen Mohammed, identifying himself as Mamman's relative, stated that the former minister had left Abuja for Kaduna by taxi shortly after his conviction, seeking traditional medicine. Mohammed claimed ignorance of the owner of the rented apartment where Mamman was reportedly hiding.

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I don’t know the owner of the apartment where he was staying. It was a rented one.

Justice Omotosho informed Mamman that his sentence began immediately, noting that he was present in Abuja when judgment and sentencing occurred but left alone for Kaduna. Mamman attributed his absence from proceedings to ill health. The judge also reviewed the May 7 judgment and the EFCC's forfeiture request, which listed properties including Walijam Apartments and Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited. Mamman's counsel, Femi Atteh, was reportedly absent and uncontactable, with a lawyer allegedly refusing to accept the forfeiture application. Mamman stated he had not contacted his lawyer since his May 19, 2026 arrest.

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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. I have done my work. I just have to inform you because today is the commencement of your sentence.