The first Prosecuting witness, PW1 for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abubakar Kweido in the trial of a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja before Justice James Omotosho that the former minister allegedly used funds meant for the Mambilla project to purchase Abuja properties.
The EFCC is prosecuting Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Kweido, an operative of the EFCC 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.
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“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 search 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.
