75-Year Jail Term: Court Seizes More Properties Linked to Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of five additional properties linked to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in a fresh victory for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its ongoing asset recovery efforts following his conviction for money laundering.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling on Thursday while deciding an application filed by the EFCC, holding that one of the properties would be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, while four others would remain under interim forfeiture pending further proceedings.

The court granted a final forfeiture order for Walijam Apartments, located at No. 43, Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, after finding that the EFCC had established during Mamman's criminal trial that the property was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The judge also ordered the interim forfeiture of four other properties allegedly linked to the former minister. They include Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited at No. 5 Amana Crescent, New Estate, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; two mansions located at Nos. 11 and 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja and A.U.A Plaza at Plot 734, Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Justice Omotosho held that while the EFCC presented sufficient grounds to preserve the four properties, the agency had not yet conclusively established that Mamman acquired them or held legal interests in them.

The court directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within seven days to allow any interested party to appear before the court and show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

In his ruling, the judge also rejected the argument by Mamman's counsel, Femi Atteh (SAN), that the court had become functus officio, meaning it no longer had jurisdiction over the matter following the former minister's conviction and sentencing.

Justice Omotosho held that Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, empowers the court to make restitution and forfeiture orders after conviction where necessary.

Arguing the application, EFCC counsel, Abba Mohammed, told the court that although judgment had already been delivered in the criminal case, the law permits the court to continue hearing post-conviction applications relating to asset recovery.

He recalled that the court found Mamman guilty of diverting about ₦22 billion, although he was originally prosecuted over alleged ₦33.8 billion money laundering offences.

According to the EFCC, less than ₦2 billion had been recovered from the proceeds of the crime despite earlier forfeiture orders, making further asset recovery necessary.

Justice Omotosho had previously sentenced Mamman to 75 years imprisonment after convicting him on all 12 counts in the amended charge filed by the anti-graft agency. The judgment also included the forfeiture of several properties and funds recovered in different currencies during the investigation.

The EFCC has continued efforts to trace and recover additional assets believed to have been acquired with proceeds of the offences.