Ex‑Power Minister Mamman Accused of N33.8 bn Fraud Fled Abuja in Taxi, Relative Tells Court

…as judge orders his transfer to Kuje prison

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, authorised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to transfer the convicted former Minister of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, to Kuje prison.

Mamman was sentenced on May 13 to 75 years in prison for embezzling public funds amounting to about ₦33.8 billion.

The conviction was delivered in absentia after he jumped bail and did not appear to complete his trial.

Although his legal team denied knowing his whereabouts, he was later located in a hideout in Kaduna State.

On Tuesday, the EFCC presented him before the court, which had issued a warrant for his arrest.

During the hearing, a man named Shamsudeen Mohammed, who identified himself as a relative of the former Minister, explained how Mamman fled Abuja in a chartered taxi.

Mohammed said that although Mamman was in Abuja during the period he was convicted, he escaped to Kaduna State two days after the sentencing.

He added that Mamman was seriously ill and needed medical attention, which he could not receive from a hospital for fear of being arrested.

“I was helping him to take his traditional medicine. He was brought by taxi from Abuja to Kaduna,” the relative told the court.

Mohammed also stated that he did not know the owner of the apartment where Mamman hid in Rigasa, Kaduna State.

“I don’t know the owner of the apartment. It was a rented one,” he said.

In the dock, Mamman, who appeared solemn, explained that he had avoided the proceedings because of ill health.

His plea for leniency was denied by trial Justice James Omotosho, who recapped the court’s judgment for him.

Justice Omotosho then reminded the convict that his 75‑year sentence would commence immediately after the 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. 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,” the judge said.

He ordered the EFCC to hand over Mamman to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, so that his jail term could begin.

In addition, the EFCC applied for a consequential order to forfeit five new properties that it said were linked to the convict.

Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the assets, all located in Abuja, were: Walijam Apartments at No. 43, Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2; Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited at No. 5, Amana Crescent, New Estate Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; a mansion at No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2; a mansion at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2; and A.U.A. Plaza on Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2.

Because Mamman had no legal representation during the proceedings, Justice Omotosho decided to defer the hearing of the forfeiture application to allow him time to secure a lawyer of his choice.

“For the forfeiture of additional properties, the court will grant an adjournment for hearing to enable the convict to defend himself,” the trial judge said.

Mamman told the court that he had not been in contact with his counsel since he was arrested and taken into custody by the EFCC on May 19.

Justice Omotosho directed that he be personally served with a copy of the forfeiture application and scheduled a hearing for June 8.

The court had convicted Mamman on all 12 counts of fraud and money‑laundering charges preferred by the EFCC.

He received seven years each on ten counts, and three years and two years on counts four and five respectively.

Justice Omotosho ruled that the sentences should run consecutively, with no option for a fine except on count four, where a ₦10 million fine was allowed.

The court ordered the forfeiture of various foreign currencies recovered from the convict, as well as four properties in Abuja traced to him.

It also directed the convict to repay ₦22 billion to the national treasury for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.

The forfeited properties included a four‑bedroom duplex in Kado District, Abuja; two semi‑detached houses; and another building in the Wuse District, Abuja.

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