Pat Stevens/
The trial of Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on allegations of a ₦33.8 billion fraud resumed on Wednesday, today, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho presided over the case, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting its eighth witness, Abdullahi Suleman, a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator.
Suleman testified that more than ₦22 billion was funneled through his accounts in a scheme allegedly orchestrated by Mamman during his tenure as Minister. The funds, originating from the Federal Ministry of Power, were converted into United States dollars and handed over without any corresponding services, contracts, or projects.
According to Suleman, “I know Alhaji Maina Goje. We are in the same business. Sometime in 2019, Goje approached me for transactions and asked for my account details. He would send money, and I would convert it to dollars for him. Later, he started requesting more accounts for the transactions.”
He further revealed that when Goje was unavailable, an associate known as Musbhu, nicknamed “Yaro Minister,” would oversee the transactions.
Suleman also identified Mustapha Muhammed, whom Goje introduced as his superior and a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Housing. Muhammed allegedly instructed Suleman to provide requested dollar amounts when Goje could not be reached.
Bank statements from Suleman’s companies—including Prymint Investment Limited, Strong Field International Projects Limited, and Mintedge Nigeria Limited—were presented as evidence. These statements detailed significant transactions, including:
₦285.9m on May 24, 2021
₦278.2m on May 26, 2021
₦320m on January 1, 2021
₦184m on June 18, 2021
₦178.3m on July 14, 2021
₦75.4m on August 5, 2021
₦90.2m on January 12, 2022
These and other transactions were admitted by Suleman during his testimony.
The EFCC also presented additional evidence from FCMB, including bank statements linked to Suleman’s companies such as Platinum Touch Enterprises, Royal Perimeter Ventures, Golden Bond Nigeria Limited, and Flex Utility Concepts Limited. These were admitted as Exhibit XTUB.
Mamman is facing a 12-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering involving ₦33.8 billion. The case has been adjourned to January 23, 2025, for continuation of the hearing.
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