The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced the trial of the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, over an alleged N33.8 billion fraud.
The trial, which began on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, was marked by the testimony of the first prosecution witness, Abubakar Kweido, an EFCC operative.
Mamman, who served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021, was arraigned on July 11, 2024, on a 12-count charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering involving N33,804,830,503.73. The funds were reportedly diverted from the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power plant projects, financed by a loan from China’s Exim Bank.
During the trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Kweido narrated how investigations revealed that multiple monetary transfers were made from the project accounts into unauthorized entities. “We uncovered that funds meant for the power projects were diverted through various entities using bureau de change operators, both in Naira and foreign currencies,” Kweido said.
Kweido explained that the investigation, which spanned from 2019 to 2023, showed that Mamman had authorized payments to contractors and companies, including Tractebel and De-Crown Projects Ltd, and Sino Hydro Groups. However, the funds were funneled into 13 unauthorized companies, including Prymint Investment Ltd, Gurupche Business Enterprise, and Silverline Ventures.
“We analyzed the responses and found that over N33.8 billion from the project account was sent to companies not authorized for the project,” Kweido told the court, noting that many of these companies had no known contracts with the Ministry of Power.
The witness further revealed that individuals linked to these companies, including Maina Goje, Abdulahi Suleiman, and Abdulahi Garba, confessed they were bureau de change operators and had no formal contracts with the Federal Ministry of Power. The operators disclosed that the funds were disbursed based on the instructions of Mustapha Abubakar Dida, the project accountant.
Kweido also testified that Mrs. Bawo Idris, a personal assistant to Mamman, admitted to receiving instructions from the former minister to disburse funds from his First Bank and GTBank accounts. Some of the funds were reportedly used for personal purposes, including renting an apartment for Mamman.
The trial was adjourned to October 9, 2024, for continuation.
The EFCC continues its investigation into the alleged fraud, which threatens to further expose the corruption surrounding Nigeria’s critical power projects.
Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, confirmed the adjournment in a statement issued on Thursday.
