- Court Orders Forfeiture of Five More Properties Linked to Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman
- One Abuja property was permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
- EFCC said it has recovered less than ₦2 billion of the alleged ₦22 billion diverted.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of five additional properties linked to convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Thursday while ruling on an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court granted a final forfeiture order for Walijam Apartments, located at No. 43, Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, after finding that the property was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
According to Justice Omotosho, evidence presented during Mamman’s trial established that the apartment was purchased with illegally obtained funds.
The court also granted an interim forfeiture order for four other properties allegedly linked to the former minister.
The affected properties include Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Kaduna, two mansions located on Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, and A.U.A Plaza on Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Justice Omotosho explained that while the EFCC had presented evidence concerning the properties, it had not yet fully established Mamman’s ownership or interest in the four assets.
The judge subsequently directed the anti-graft agency to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within seven days.
He said the publication would give any interested individual or organisation the opportunity to appear before the court and show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Omotosho also dismissed an objection raised by Mamman’s counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, who argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the forfeiture application after sentencing the former minister.
The judge held that 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.
Counsel to the EFCC, Abba Mohammed, told the court that Mamman diverted about ₦22 billion, adding that the commission has so far recovered less than ₦2 billion from the alleged proceeds of the crime.
