Court orders forfeiture of convicted ex-power minister, Saleh Mamman’s properties

The federal high court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a luxury apartment belonging to Saleh Mamman, former minister of power, following his conviction and 75-year prison sentence for corruption and money laundering.

In a ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established that the property, Walijam Apartments located on Lobito Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The court also granted interim forfeiture orders on four other properties allegedly linked to the former minister.

The affected assets include Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Kaduna State, two residential buildings on Misratah Street in Wuse II, Abuja, and A.U.A Plaza situated on Kade Street, Wuse II.

Justice Omotosho directed the anti-graft agency to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within seven days to allow any interested party to appear before the court and justify why the properties should not be permanently confiscated by the Federal Government.

The latest ruling follows Mamman’s conviction in one of Nigeria’s biggest corruption cases involving the power sector.

The EFCC had prosecuted the former minister on a 12-count amended charge bordering on corruption and money laundering involving about N33.8 billion. The court found him guilty on all counts in May before sentencing him to a cumulative 75 years in prison.

As part of the judgment, the court also ordered Mamman to refund N22 billion traced to him during investigations, while several assets identified as proceeds of crime were recovered.