Corruption: Saleh Mamman loses luxury apartments, mansions to Federal Government

Folami Olamide

Federal Government has secured another major victory in its anti-corruption campaign as the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, ordered the forfeiture of additional properties linked to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, following his conviction for corruption and money laundering.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling delivered, ordered the final forfeiture of Walijam Apartments, located at No. 43, Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, after ruling that the property was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The court also granted an interim forfeiture order on four other high-value properties allegedly owned by the former minister. The affected assets include 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 mansion at No. 13 Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A Plaza situated on Plot 734, Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Justice Omotosho directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within seven days.

The publication is intended to give any person or organisation with a legal interest in the affected properties an opportunity to appear before the court and show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The latest ruling adds to the legal consequences facing the former minister, who was prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended 12-count charge bordering on corruption and money laundering involving about ₦33.8 billion.

Mamman was found guilty on all counts by the court on May 7, 2026, before being sentenced on May 13, 2026, to a cumulative 75 years’ imprisonment for the offences.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the former minister to refund ₦22 billion traced to him during the EFCC’s investigation.

The anti-graft agency had argued that the recovered assets represented proceeds of illicit financial transactions carried out while Mamman served as Minister of Power. Investigations also led to the recovery of several other assets believed to have been acquired with illegally obtained funds.

The EFCC has maintained that the recovery of stolen public assets remains a critical component of its anti-corruption strategy, noting that forfeited properties and funds would be transferred to the Federal Government in accordance with the law after due judicial process.

The latest forfeiture order is expected to further strengthen the government’s efforts to recover assets linked to corruption and reinforce the message that public office holders will be held accountable for financial crimes.