EFCC seizes luxury apartment, targets four more properties after N22bn fraud conviction
ABUJA – A former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has lost another luxury property to the Federal Government after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the permanent forfeiture of an upscale apartment traced to proceeds of corruption, while placing four other properties under interim forfeiture.
Justice James Omotosho granted the orders in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), holding that Walijam Apartments on Lobito Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities uncovered during Mamman’s money laundering trial.
The court also ordered the interim forfeiture of four other high-value properties, including Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Kaduna State, two mansions on Misratah Street, Wuse II, Abuja, and A.U.A Plaza on Kade Street, Wuse II.
Justice Omotosho ruled that although the EFCC had yet to conclusively establish ownership or beneficial interest in the four additional properties, it had presented sufficient evidence to justify their temporary seizure pending further proceedings.
He directed the anti-graft agency to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within seven days to enable any interested party to challenge the application before the forfeiture becomes final.
The judge also dismissed the former minister’s objection that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the forfeiture application after concluding the criminal trial.
According to him, Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act empowers the court to make restitution and forfeiture orders even after a conviction has been secured.
The EFCC told the court that Mamman diverted N22 billion from the N33.8 billion involved in the fraud and that less than N2 billion had so far been recovered despite previous forfeiture orders.
It argued that the fresh properties were identified as additional assets allegedly acquired with proceeds of crime and should be forfeited to recover part of the outstanding funds.
The latest ruling follows the court’s judgment of May 7, which convicted Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving funds earmarked for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Projects.
Justice Omotosho sentenced the former minister to a cumulative 75 years’ imprisonment, with the sentences to run consecutively. He further ordered security agencies, including INTERPOL, to arrest him wherever found after he failed to appear in court for judgment.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of all recovered assets and directed Mamman to refund the outstanding balance of the diverted funds after deducting recovered sums.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Omotosho described the diversion of money meant for critical electricity projects as a gross betrayal of public trust.
“Rather than creating a legacy to tackle the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary citizens. Little wonder Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” the judge held.
The court found that Mamman illegally channelled huge sums through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the funds into foreign currencies before handing them over to him and his associates.
Evidence before the court also showed that he paid $655,700 (about N200 million) in cash for a landed property in Abuja without passing through any financial institution, contrary to the law.
The EFCC had called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits to establish that the former minister diverted public funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric projects to acquire choice assets within and outside Nigeria.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was arrested in 2021, about four months after leaving office. Following weeks of surveillance after his conviction, EFCC operatives apprehended him and transferred him to a correctional facility to begin serving his prison term.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has maintained that the commission will ensure the former minister serves his sentence, even as he faces another criminal trial over an alleged N31 billion fraud.
