Alleged N33.8bn Fraud: How I Received More Than N22bn From Ex-Power Minister – BDC Operator

A witness in the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman,  has narrated before a Federal High Court how he received N22 billion from the ex-minister.

Abdullahi Suleman, a bureau de change operator, said he received the over N22 billion in different tranches to exchange into US dollars.

Mamman is facing a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering about N33.8 billion preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Suleiman, while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) narrated that about 12 of his business accounts received money from the Federal Ministry of Power without carrying out any service, contact or project.

According to a statement by the EFCC Head of Media, Dele Oyewole, the listed companies are Prymint Investment Limited, Strong Field International Projects Limited, Mintedge Nigeria Limited, First Class Construction and Project, Silverline Ocean Ventures, Golden Bond Nigeria Limited, Sipikin Global Enterprise, Spinhiills Biz International limited, Fullest Utility Concepts Limited, Platinum Touch Enterprises, Breathable Investment Limited and a company owned by his brother named Gurupche Business Enterprises were used for the transactions.

He said he was introduced to the deal by one Alhaji Maina Goje, who operates the same business.

Continuing, “I also know Mr Mustapha Muhammed, Goje told me that he is his oga, I didn’t know him before until Maina Goje introduced him to me, then I learnt he works with Federal Ministry of Housing and instructed that anytime they can’t reach him, I should give him the amount of dollars he requested”

When shown Exhibit X series, which contained bank statements generated from his companies showing evidence of money inflows into his bank accounts with Strong Field international Projects Limited, Mintedge Nigeria Limited, Prymint Investment Limited, the witness admitted that they were the accounts he gave Maina Goje.

Earlier, a Compliance Officer from FCMB presented and tendered bank statements and attachments in a reply letter to the EFCC dated August 16, 2024 in respect of Prymint Investments Limited, Platinum Touch Enterprises, Royal Perimeter Ventures, Golden Bond Nigeria Limited, Flex Utility Concepts Limited, Bentech Nigeria Limited admitted and marked Exhibit XTUB.

Justice James Omotosho has fixed January 23 for continuation of the trial.