A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of one property and the interim forfeiture of four others linked to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the EFCC had successfully established that one of the properties was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, thereby warranting its permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government.
The court also granted interim forfeiture orders on four other properties, allowing any interested parties to challenge the forfeiture before a final decision is made.
The property permanently forfeited is Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, located at No. 5 Amana Crescent, New Estate, Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State.
The properties placed under interim forfeiture are 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 at Plot 734 Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Justice Omotosho further held that the court retains the jurisdiction to order the forfeiture of assets even after Mamman’s conviction, dismissing arguments challenging its authority to entertain the application.
Mamman is currently serving a 75-year prison sentence after being convicted on 12 counts of money laundering involving N33.8 billion.
Before the latest ruling, he had already forfeited several properties and funds recovered by the Federal Government as part of the anti-corruption proceedings.
