A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of five properties linked to Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power, in a move to recover assets tied to the N22 billion the court found he diverted while in office.
Justice James Omotosho made the order on Thursday while ruling on an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), months after convicting Mamman over a N33.8 billion corruption case and sentencing him to 75 years’ imprisonment.
The assets include Walijam Apartments on Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja; Bloom Luxury Suites on Amana Crescent in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State; two mansions on Misratah Street in Wuse 2, Abuja; and A.U.A Plaza on Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
The court granted a final forfeiture order for Walijam Apartments after finding that the EFCC had established during the criminal trial that the property was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Omotosho, however, ordered the interim forfeiture of the remaining four properties, saying the anti-graft agency had not yet conclusively proved Mamman’s ownership or beneficial interest in the assets.
