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 investigation 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 Corporate Affairs Commission and other commercial banks which
revealed 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 where they informed 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
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