Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has begun serving a 75-year prison sentence at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Kuje, Abuja, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) transferred him to custody following a Federal High Court order in Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, ordered the immediate commencement of the sentence after Mamman was brought before the court by EFCC operatives.
The former minister had earlier been convicted over a multi-billion naira money laundering case linked to funds allegedly diverted during major power projects.
The court heard that Mamman allegedly left Abuja shortly after his conviction and travelled to Kaduna, where he was later arrested by EFCC officials after days of surveillance. Prosecutors told the court that the former minister had been hiding in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State before his arrest on May 19.
During proceedings, a relative of the former minister, Shamsudeen Mohammed, told the court that Mamman had been receiving traditional treatment while away from Abuja.
“My name is Shamsudeen Mohammed. He is my relative,” he told the court, adding that Mamman “was sick” and had travelled to Kaduna by taxi.
Justice Omotosho, while addressing the convict in court, declared that the prison term had officially commenced.
“The sentence starts to run from today,” the judge said, stressing that Mamman had been in Abuja when judgment was delivered before leaving for Kaduna.
The EFCC also asked the court to approve the forfeiture of five additional properties allegedly linked to the former minister. The properties reportedly include apartments, luxury suites and commercial buildings located in Abuja and Kaduna.
Mamman was convicted on multiple counts tied to alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of properties said to be worth over ₦33.8 billion. The court handed him cumulative prison terms amounting to 75 years after finding him guilty on the charges filed against him by the anti-graft agency.