Court Seizes More Multi-Billion Naira Assets from Convicted Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman
By Victor Idajili
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of five more properties linked to former Minister of Power, Alhaji Saleh Mamman, 68.
Justice James Omotosho made the order yesterday following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The properties affected
Walijam Apartments – 43, Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja
Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited – 5 Amana Crescent, New Estate, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State
Mansion– 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja
Mansion – 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja
A.U.A Plaza – Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja
Justice Omotosho granted permanent forfeiture of Walijam Apartments after the EFCC proved in Mamman’s trial that it was bought with proceeds of crime.
The judge gave an interim forfeiture* order on the other four properties. He said the EFCC had not yet fully shown that Mamman owned them or had a direct interest.
The EFCC has been directed to publish the interim order in a national newspaper within 7 days. Any interested person can then come to court to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Atteh, SAN, argued that the court could no longer act after convicting and sentencing his client. Justice Omotosho disagreed, citing Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, which allows restitution and forfeiture orders even after conviction.
EFCC counsel Abba Mohammed said the court still had jurisdiction. He told the court that Mamman diverted N22 billion out of the N33.8 billion alleged in the charge. So far, less than N2 billion has been recovered despite previous forfeiture orders. He asked the court to seize more assets to recover part of the stolen funds.
On May 7, Justice Omotosho convicted Mamman on a 12-count money laundering charge for diverting money meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
The court found that he moved at least N22 billion through proxy companies and accomplices. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison, to run consecutively from the date of his arrest.
The judge also ordered security agencies, including INTERPOL, to arrest him wherever he is found and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service. Mamman was later picked up by the EFCC after weeks of surveillance and taken to prison.
He was further ordered to refund the balance between what has been recovered and the N22 billion traced to him.
Condemning the theft, Justice Omotosho said it was a “grave abuse of public trust” to steal money meant for electricity projects while Nigerians still suffer poor power supply.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said, “For us, getting the convict to serve his jail term is extremely important given how seriously we are tackling corrupt practices.”
Mamman is also facing a separate trial in Abuja over an alleged N31 billion fraud.
