The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, for an alleged N33.8 billion fraud.
Mamman was arraigned on 12-count charges bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73.
During the arraignment, EFCC presented its first witness, Abubakar Kweido, who narrated how investigation activities revealed that multiple monetary transfers were made from the project account meant for the Mambilla hydroelectric power project into various companies.
Kweido said, “We commenced the investigation by writing letters of investigation to different Ministries and Agencies of the Government and various commercial banks; the responses received reviewed that he authorized the payment to some contractors and companies using One Joint Venture of Tractebel and De-Crown Projects Ltd and Sino Hydro Groups.”
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The EFCC operative added that the funds were a loan granted to Nigeria by China’s Exim bank and that the period of the investigation was from 2019 to 2023.
Mamman’s lawyer, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The matter was adjourned to October 9, 2024, for continuation of trial.
