An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abubakar Kweido, on Thursday, said findings in the investigation into the alleged N33.8bn fraud brought against a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, showed that he made multiple monetary transfers from the account meant for Mambilla Power Project to bureau de change operators.
Kweido, who was led in evidence by the EFCC as its first witness in the ongoing trial of the former minister, said 13 entities, who received about N33.8bn from the Mambilla project fund, were not authorised for the power project.
Mamman who served as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, from 2019 to 2021, was on May 10 2021, arrested and detained at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja over alleged fraud.
On July 11, the EFCC arraigned Mamman on a 12-count bordering on alleged money laundering before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mamman was said to have laundered money and conspired with some private companies and some officials at the ministry in charge of the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects accounts to divert about N22 billion.
The witness, in his testimony, said, “We commenced the investigation by writing letters of inquiry to different ministries and agencies of the government and various commercial banks.
“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.”
He disclosed that the 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.
He stated, “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 analysed the responses, we saw that over N33.8bn from the project account were sent to over 13 entities that are not the authorised 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.”
The witness said they requested the bank record of the accounts from the Corporate Affairs Commission and other commercial banks, revealing that the persons behind the operation of these entities were 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, informing 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 operators. 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,” Kweido said.
Speaking further, Keido said Mustapha Dida was the project accountant for the Mambilla and Zungeru power plant projects.
He also said 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 till October 9, 2024, for continuation of trial.
Source – The Punch
