The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
presented its first witness in the ongoing trial of Saleh Mamman, former
minister of power, for alleged N33.8 billion fraud.
In July, the EFCC arraigned Mamman on a 12-count charge
bordering on alleged money laundering and conspiracy with officials at the
ministry and some private companies to “indirectly convert” the sum of N33.8
billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydro electric power projects.
The former minister pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the court proceedings on Thursday, Abubakar Kweido,
an operative of the EFCC, said investigation showed how multiple monetary
transfers were allegedly made from the account meant for Mambilla power project
to bureau de change (BDC) operators.
Kweido said 13 entities, who were said to have received
about N33.8 billion from the Mambilla project fund, were not authorised for the
power project.
“We commenced the investigation by writing letters of
investigation to different ministries and agencies of the government and
various commercial banks,” Kweido said.
“The responses received revealed that he authorised the payment
to some contractors and companies using One Joint Venture of Tractebel and
De-Crown Projects Ltd and Sino Hydro Groups.
“De-Crown projects Ltd was used as a project consultant, and
Sino Hydro Groups was the engineering procurement contractor.
“Our investigation revealed that a huge amount of money from
the project account of Mambila was sent to different entities that were not
authorised on the project.
“We then wrote letters of investigation activities to the
Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Accountant General of the
Federation for Mambila and Zungeru hydroelectric power plant projects.
“When we analyzed the responses, we saw that over N33.8bn
from the project account were sent to over 13 entities that are not the authorized
contact.
“Some of them are Prymint Investment Ltd, Gurupche Business
Enterprise, Shipikin Global Enterprises, Silverline Ventures, Intech Nigeria
Ltd, Breathable Investment Ltd, First Class Contraction Ltd, Spinhillls Biz
International Ltd, Fulex Utility Concept Ltd, Platinum Enterprise among others
“We also requested the bank record of the accounts from
corporate affairs and other commercial banks which revealed that the persons
behind the operation of these entities were mainly Maina Goje, Abdulahi
Suleiman and Abdulahi Garba.
“We invited them to account for the funds they received from
the Mambila project account. They reported to our office where they informed us
that they have never applied for any contract with the federal ministry of
power or the Federal Government.
“They said they were bureau de change operatives. They also
mentioned that all the monies received were disbursed based on the instructions
of one Mustapha Abubakar Dida.
“The disbursements
were usually in foreign currencies, naira cash and sometimes via bank
transfers.”
The EFCC witness said Mustapha Dida was the project
accountant of the Mambilla and Zungeru power plant projects.
Kweido added that the owners of the BDC entities said they
have never met with Dida or Mamman but that they had physical contact with Bawo
Idris, a personal assistant to the former minister.
The EFCC witness said when Idris was invited by the agency,
she confirmed receiving instructions from the defendant for funds disbursement.
The case was adjourned to October 9, 2024 for continuation
of trial.
Mamman was appointed minister by former President Muhammadu
Buhari in August 2019 and was sacked in September 2021.
In May 2023, the former minister was arrested by the
anti-graft agency over an alleged fraud.
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