The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of one property and the interim forfeiture of four others linked to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who is serving a 75-year prison sentence following his conviction for corruption and money laundering.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling after granting an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), holding that the anti-graft agency had successfully established that one of the properties was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the property permanently forfeited to the Federal Government is Walijam Apartments, located at No. 43, Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.
The court also granted an interim forfeiture order on four additional properties allegedly linked to Mamman. They include 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, Abuja; another property at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A Plaza situated on Plot 734, Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the EFCC had proved that Walijam Apartments was purchased with proceeds of crime.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was able to establish that the convict acquired Walijam Apartments with proceeds of unlawful activities,” the judge ruled.
The court further directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within seven days, allowing any interested parties to appear before the court and show cause why the remaining four properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Mamman was prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended 12-count charge bordering on corruption and money laundering involving about N33.8 billion.
Justice Omotosho convicted the former minister on all 12 counts on May 7, 2026, before sentencing him to 75 years’ imprisonment on May 13, 2026.
In addition to the prison term, the court ordered Mamman to refund N22 billion traced to him during the EFCC’s investigation. The court also directed the recovery of several assets identified as proceeds of unlawful activities uncovered during the trial.
