The Federal High Court in Maitama, 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 currently serving a 75-year prison sentence for corruption and money laundering.
Justice James Omotosho gave the order on Thursday, July 2, after an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, holding that the anti-graft agency had established that one of the properties was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
A statement on Monday by EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the permanently forfeited property is Walijam Apartments, located at No. 43, Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.
He said the court also ordered the interim forfeiture of Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, located 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 on Plot 734, Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Delivering his ruling on the application for final forfeiture, Justice Omotosho held that the EFCC had successfully demonstrated 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 held.
Justice Omotosho, however, directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within seven days to allow 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.
The judge ordered that “the commission publish an order of interim forfeiture in a national newspaper within seven days, for interested parties to appear before the court and show cause as to why the other four properties should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.”
Mamman was prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended 12-count charge bordering on corruption and money laundering involving N33.8bn.
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 custodial sentence, the court ordered the former minister to refund N22bn traced to him by the anti-graft agency during its investigation.
The court had also ordered the recovery of several assets identified as proceeds of unlawful activities during the course of the trial.