The trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, resumed on Wednesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting its eighth witness, Abdullahi Suleman, a Bureau de Change operator.
Suleman narrated how more than N22 billion was allegedly diverted from the Federal Ministry of Power into his business accounts while Mamman was minister.
The EFCC is prosecuting Mamman on a 12-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering involving N33.8 billion.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Suleman admitted that 12 of his business accounts, including Prymint Investment Limited and Strong Field International Projects Limited, received payments from the ministry without rendering any service.
“I received the funds, converted them to dollars, and handed them to Alhaji Maina Goje, who directed the transactions. From my calculations, the amount I processed exceeds N22 billion,” Suleman testified.
Bank records tendered as evidence showed inflows such as N285.9 million on May 24, 2021, N320 million on January 1, 2021, and N178.3 million on July 14, 2021, among others.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case to January 23, 2025, for further hearing.
