Alleged N33.8bn Fraud: EFCC Says Former Minister Uses Proceeds from Manbilla Project to Purchase Properties in Abuja
An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abubakar Kweido, has said a former Minister of Power in Nigeria, Saleh Mamman, allegedly used the proceeds of Manbilla Hydro Project to purchase properties in Abuja.
Kweido who was the first prosecuting witness, PW1 in the trial of the alleged fraud on Wednesday, speaking before Justice James Omotosho at a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, recounted his sordid discovery, informing his suspicion that funds from the Mambilla Hydro project’s account were used to purchase Abuja properties.
EFCC has been prosecuting Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73, the commission says.
During the Wednesday’s proceedings, Kweido, while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN said investigation activities showed that some funds released to the former minister were used to purchase properties in Kado Estate and Wuse 2, Abuja.
“We invited and presented the findings of the investigation to the minister, which he acknowledged and responded to in the presence of his lawyer. He denied connection to all the alleged properties, stating that one Maisbahu Idris who was his Personal Assistant usually received money from the Project Accountant of the Mambilla Hydro project to share with his staff in the ministry.
“We went ahead to conduct a search in the minister`s house and we recovered some foreign currencies in cash. We also recovered the CAC documents of Abangus Nig. Ltd whose investigation revealed that the company was one of the entities used by the minister to facilitate the diversion of funds from the project account of Mambilla”, he said.
Payment Vouchers for Bangus Nig. Ltd and Exhibit Form for some cash recovered at his residence were tendered and admitted in evidence.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to October 23, 2024 for continuation of trial.
Read Also: EFCC Busts 13 Chinese for Illegal Mining
Agency Report
PIJAlance Magazine, is an independent public-centric journalism arm of PIJA Foundation that stands to tell stories connecting the masses to community justice and development. We always rebel against social injustice. Got a story you'll like us to publish, tip us in contact us.