Abdullah Suleiman, a witness in the ongoing trial of the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, Tuesday told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that money transferred into his account was not from the Ministry of Power.
Suleiman, a businessman, and Bureau de Change operator, who made the revelation under cross examination before Justice James Omotosho of the court said his companies received funds in their different bank accounts before and after Mamman’s tenure as minister.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Mamman in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024 bordering on N33.8million money laundering allegations leveled against him.
The former minister, who joined President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet in 2019, was relieved of his job in 2021.
Mamman is facing a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering worth N33.8 billion preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the cross-examination by the defence counsel on Tuesday, Femi Ate (SAN), Suleiman told the court that the funds contained in the Accountant General of the Federation entries were paid into his companies’ accounts.
The payments are: Fullest Utility Concept received N254m and N49.6m on May 9, 2018; N659.9m received on January 16, 2019 and N407m on July 20, 2019.
Platinum Touch Enterprise Ltd received N849m on October 21, 2021; N86.5m and 86.9m and N97m on October 29, 2021.
Silverline Ocean Ventures received N90m on February 24, 2022, and N82m and N90m on March 30, 2022; Bureau Change received N90m and N92m on March 30, 2022; and Royal Promoter Venture received N85m.
Suleiman stated further that he knew the money he received in 2023, while the EFCC were still investigating the matter, came from one Mustapha Abubakar Bida through Maina Goje, who was also questioned by the EFCC, adding that some funds (N217m) were returned to the anti-graft agency, including some dollars.
“I received money before and after the minister’s appointment and departure. Maina Goje did not tell me why he said I should make payment to the EFCC,” he said.
However, under re-examination by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Suleiman admitted that when the EFCC invited him to their office, they informed him that the funds came from the Ministry of Power.
Another witness, Misbahu Idris was also invited as PW 10, a move that was objected by the Defence lawyer Femi Ate, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
According to him, the witness was not listed among the line up by the prosecution but the presiding Judge overruled him.
Idris, a former staff of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) in Abuja said he was appointed as Mamman’s Personal Assistant, when he became a minister.
He testified how he ran errands for Goje on the minister’s instructions.
Meanwhile, Justice Omotosho has adjourned the matter till Wednesday February 19th for continuation of hearing