From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
A prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Abuja division of the Federal High Court how a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, fraudulently paid the dollar equivalent of N200 million in cash for the purchase of a five-bedroom property in Wuse, Abuja.
Mamman served as Nigeria’s Minister of Power from 2019 to 2021, is standing trial on a 12-count amended money laundering charge brought against him by the EFCC, amounting to N33 billion.
His tenure as Minister of Power ended abruptly following allegations of financial misappropriation.
He was arrested and detained by the EFCC on May 10, 2021, shortly after his removal by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The defendant has since entered a plea of not guilty to the charges upon his arraignment before the court.
At the resumption of trial, the anti-graft agency, through its witness, Mohammed Ashelk Jidda, told Justice James Omotosho that Mamman allegedly visited his office on Gimbiya Street, Garki, Abuja, and paid him the dollar equivalent of N200 million in cash for the property.
The witness identified himself as a businessman and the initial owner of the five-bedroom property located at No. 12A & B Lungi Street, Wuse 2, Abuja,
Led in evidence by the prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. Jidda told the court: “The minister came to my office with Mohammed Hussein and two other persons to pay me the money. We had discussed that they would bring naira, but they came with dollars. We counted the money and handed over the property. The document was signed between my company, Mohibat Investment Limited, and Mohammed Hussein as instructed by the minister. First, Bitrus told me that it was the minister who was buying the property. The minister was the one who instructed me to sign with Mohammed Hussein,” the witness said.
He then proceeded to identify and confirmed the extra-judicial statement he made to the EFCC, along with the deed of agreement for the property.
The documents were tendered before the court and admitted as evidence.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter until March 18 and 19, 2025, for further hearing.
The EFCC’s legal team argued that Mamman’s actions amounted to a criminal breach of trust concerning funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria.