Court Orders Forfeiture of Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman's Abuja Properties

The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has mandated the permanent forfeiture of one property and the interim forfeiture of four others connected to Saleh Mamman, the former Minister of Power. Mamman is currently serving a 75-year jail term following his conviction for corruption and money laundering offenses.

Justice James Omotosho issued the directive on Thursday, July 2, after considering an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court affirmed that the anti-graft agency had successfully established that one of the properties in question was acquired using funds derived from illicit activities.

According to a statement released on Monday by EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the property permanently forfeited is identified as Walijam Apartments, located at No. 43, Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Furthermore, Justice Omotosho ordered the interim forfeiture of several other assets. These include Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, situated at No. 5 Amana Crescent, New Estate, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; a mansion at No. 11 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; another property located at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and the A.U.A Plaza on Plot 734, Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

In his judgment on the final forfeiture application, Justice Omotosho declared that the EFCC had convincingly demonstrated that Walijam Apartments was procured through criminal proceeds. The judge stated, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was able to establish that the convict acquired Walijam Apartments with proceeds of unlawful activities.”

For the properties under interim forfeiture, Justice Omotosho instructed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper within seven days. This publication will allow any interested parties to appear before the court and provide reasons why these four properties should not be permanently confiscated by the Federal Government. The judge explicitly 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's prosecution by the EFCC involved an amended 12-count charge related to corruption and money laundering, totaling N33.8 billion. Justice Omotosho found the former minister guilty on all 12 counts on May 7, 2026, and subsequently sentenced him to 75 years in prison on May 13, 2026. In addition to the custodial sentence, the court had also mandated that Mamman refund N22 billion, which the anti-graft agency traced to him during its investigation. The trial also saw the court ordering the retrieval of various assets identified as proceeds of unlawful dealings.