Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, continues yesterday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC presenting its eighth witness, PW8.
The witness, Abdullahi Suleman, a bureau de change operator, testified how more than N22 billion was allegedly siphoned from the Federal Ministry of Power during Mamman’s tenure as minister.
Suleman detailed how the Naira equivalent of the funds was converted to U.S dollars using accounts linked to his businesses, despite no services or contracts being rendered.
Mamman faces a 12-count charge from the EFCC, accusing him of conspiracy to commit money laundering totaling N33.8 billion.
Suleman, while being led in evidence by EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, revealed that his companies, including Prymint Investment Limited, Mintedge Nigeria Limited, and Silverline Ocean Ventures, received substantial sums of money from the Ministry of Power without executing any projects.
He explained that he worked closely with one Alhaji Maina Goje, who directed him to provide multiple business accounts to receive payments.
“From my rough calculations, the amount I have received through the transactions will be more than N22 billion,” Suleman testified. He added that Goje would often collect dollars after the Naira deposits were converted or instruct transfers to other accounts.
Suleman also mentioned other individuals involved, including Mustapha Muhammed, who was introduced to him as a senior official in the Federal Ministry of Housing. Muhammed would issue directives in Goje’s absence, requesting large amounts of dollars.
The prosecuting counsel presented bank statements and records (marked Exhibit X series), showing evidence of large sums of money flowing into Suleman’s accounts.
Notable transactions include, N285,983,285 on May 24, 2021; N278,248,611 on May 26, 2021; N320 million on January 1, 2021; N184 million on June 18, 2021 and N90,247,395 on January 12, 2022.
Suleman admitted to receiving these amounts and confirmed they were transferred as instructed by Goje and his associates.
Earlier in the proceedings, an FCMB Compliance Officer submitted bank statements and attachments related to Prymint Investments Limited and other companies, further linking them to transactions under investigation.
The documents were admitted as evidence and marked Exhibit Xtub.
