From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
A former minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has told a Federal High Court that he was interrogated under duress by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, during their investigation over allegation of fraud against him by the commission.
In a video clip played in the open court during his trial, the defendant told Justice James Omotosho that he had already told the operatives of the commission that he was not in the right frame of mind as he was just leaving sick bed during their investigation.
Before the clip was played, Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had told the court that the reason for playing the video is to show the court that a previous statement which the EFCC sought to tender in evidence was made voluntarily by the ex-minister
While the counsel of the minister, Mr Femi Atte, SAN, interjected that it was made under duress because the minister was not in his right frame of mind as he had already told them he just left sick bed
In the video clip, the minister was seen telling operatives of the EFCC that he left sick bed to to honour the invitation of the commission.
He also denied ownership of a property in Wuse 2 when he was asked by the officials of the EFCC during the investigation
The two hours video clip was played for 39 minutes in court where the minister spoke in Hausa during interrogation but was interpreted in English language by an interpreter of the court.
The interpreter occasionally said: “My lord, I did not hear him properly.
“I will skip where I do not understand”.
The judge responded and said, “interpret what you hear”.
At the last adjourned date on March 19, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and prosecution witness (PW15) in the trial said the apex bank managed the project account on behalf of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
The witness, Okoroafor Chinyere, a deputy manager, domestic payment division at the bank, stated this while being led under cross-examination by the defendant Counsel, Mr Atte
Under cross-examination, she confirmed to the court that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wrote a letter to the bank, demanding for details on the ministry of power and it was given to them.
While speaking on the project account which documents were tendered and admitted as exhibit, Okoroafor confirmed that the bank manages the account on behalf of the accountant general office.
On whether she is familiar with remmital payment process, she answered in the affirmative.
But when asked whether it was possible for the former minister or his office to make approval, she said: “I cannot say”.
“We don’t receive instructions to make payment on remittal, we only get a directive from OAGF,” Okoroafor said.
The Mambila Zungeru project account, is domicile with the CBN but was solely under the accountant General of the Federation not under the Minister of power.
Only the OAGF have authority on the account.
Okoroafor had told the court that there are laid down procedures as regards withdrawal from special project account and the Minister has no power of withdrawal, only the OAGF has the authority on such account.