The Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 commenced
the trial of Ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, for an alleged N33.8billion
fraud with the presentation of its first witness.
Mamman was
arraigned on Thursday, July 11, 2024 on 12 -count charges bordering on
conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73
(Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty
Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo).
At Wednesday’s
proceedings, Prosecution witness One, PW1, Abubakar Kweido, an operative
of the EFCC while been led in evidence by Adeyinka Olumide Fusika, SAN,
narrated how investigation activities reviewed that multiple monetary transfers
were made from the project account meant for Mambilla hydroelectric power
project into various companies with the aid of bureau de change operators into
foreign currencies, Naira and bank transfers to over 13 entities.
Kweido said there was
an intelligence assigned to his team, alleging that funds meant for the power
plant were diverted through conspiracy by top officials in power. The funds, he
said, were a loan granted to Nigeria by China's Exim bank and the period of the
investigation was from 2019 to 2023.
"At
the time investigations were carried out, the defendant was the
Minister of Power between 2019 to 2021. We commenced investigation by writing
letters of investigation to different Ministries and Agencies of the Government
and various commercial banks, the responses received reviewed that he
authorized 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 project consultant, Sino Hydro groups was the engineering
procurement contractor. Our investigation revealed that huge amount of money
from the project account of Mambila were sent to different entities that were
not authorized on the project, we then wrote letters of investigation
activities to Central bank of Nigeria and Office of the Accountant General of
the Federation for Mambila and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects.
We also submitted the Award Letters of the authorized contractors and we
received response letters by the two authorized contractors, De- Crown Projects
and Sino Hydro Groups" he said. The letters and responses were
tendered and admitted as PWA.
In addition, four
Letters from the Office of the Accountant General comprising account statements
and responses were tendered and admitted in evidence as PWb2 and PWb3
Continuing,“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 for
the bank record of the accounts from Corporate Affairs and other Commercial
banks which revealed that persons behind the operation of these entities were
mainly one 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".
He revealed that
Mustapha Dida was the Project Accountant of Manbilla Mambilla and Zungeru
Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects and they denied knowing him or
the boss, as it was one Mrs Bawo Idris whom they referred to as Yaro was
the only person they had physical contact with.
"So we invited Mrs Bawo Idris , she volunteered her statement where she mentioned that she was the personal assistant to the defendant as at that time . She also informed us that she also received instructions from the defendant for disbursement which is from his First bank and GTB accounts. Also, one of the accounts that received money from the project account is Sammie Court Resource Ltd. We contacted them and their managing director which he reported and informed us that the said payments were for rentage of one bedroom apartment. He also informed us in writing that the defendant was the one using the apartment. Some other accounts that benefited include Vintage Nigeria Ltd, Abdulahi Suleiman, Fullest Utility Concept, Firstclass Contraction and Project, Golden bond Nig Ltd, AIJ Global, Usman Isah, Abdulkareem Danladi
The matter was adjourned to October 9, 2024 for continuation of trial.
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