75 years, N22bn Gone: Ex-Power Minister Mamman Forfeits Abuja Mansions, Plaza over Power Project Fraud

He’s already in jail for 75 years. Now the assets are following him.

Convicted ex-Minister of Power Alhaji Saleh Mamman, 68, has forfeited more multi-billion naira properties linked to the N22 billion he was found to have syphoned from power contract funds.

—One Property Gone for Good, Four on Hold—

The Federal High Court, Abuja ordered forfeiture of five additional assets on July 1, Justice James Omotosho ruling on an EFCC application.

PERMANENT FORFEITURE:

Walijam Apartments at No. 43, Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Justice Omotosho held that the EFCC proved at trial that it was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

*INTERIM FORFEITURE:*

1. Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, 5 Amana Crescent, New Estate, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State
2. Mansion at No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja
3. Mansion at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja
4. A.U.A Plaza, Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja

The judge said the EFCC had not yet conclusively linked Mamman to the four interim assets. He ordered the commission to publish the order in a national newspaper within 7 days to allow interested parties to show cause why they should not be forfeited permanently.

—The Court Can Still Order Forfeiture—

Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Atteh SAN, argued the court was functus officio after sentencing. The judge disagreed.

Section 321 of ACJA, Omotosho said, empowers the court to make restitution and forfeiture orders even after conviction.

EFCC counsel Abba Mohammed told the court the trial judge found Mamman diverted N22bn of the N33.8bn alleged. Less than N2bn has been recovered so far, despite earlier forfeitures. He urged the court to seize more to recover the balance.

—The Conviction: Power Money for Private Pockets—

On May 7, Justice Omotosho convicted Mamman on 12-count money laundering involving funds for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

The court found he diverted at least N22 billion through proxy companies and accomplices and sentenced him to 75 years cumulatively, to run consecutively from the date of arrest.

INTERPOL and other agencies were ordered to arrest him wherever found. Mamman was later picked up after weeks of surveillance and taken into a correctional centre.

The judge also ordered him to refund the outstanding balance between recovered assets and the N22bn established at trial.

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“The prosecution’s evidence showed that the former minister and his associates siphoned public funds intended for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Projects,” Omotosho said.
He condemned the act as a grave abuse of public trust*, noting Mamman enriched himself while Nigerians endured poor electricity supply.

—“We Are Tackling Corrupt Practices Seriously”– EFCC—

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said getting Mamman to serve his sentence was “extremely important.”

Mamman is also facing a separate trial in Abuja over alleged N31 billion fraud.

The bottom line is thar from power minister to prisoner: Mamman lost his freedom for 75 years and is now losing Wuse mansions and plazas bought with money meant to light up Nigeria. The EFCC says it’s still chasing the rest of the N22bn.