THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented its first witness in the ongoing trial of Saleh Mamman, former minister of power, for alleged N33.8 billion fraud.

In July, the EFCC arraigned Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and conspiracy with officials at the ministry and some private companies to “indirectly convert” the sum of N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydro electric power projects.

The former minister pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the court proceedings on Thursday, Abubakar Kweido, an operative of the EFCC, said investigation showed how multiple monetary transfers were allegedly made from the account meant for Mambilla power project to bureau de change (BDC) operators.

Kweido said 13 entities, who were said to have received about N33.8 billion from the Mambilla project fund, were not authorised for the power project.

“We commenced the investigation by writing letters of investigation to different ministries and agencies of the government and various commercial banks,” Kweido said.

“The responses received revealed that he authorised the payment to some contractors and companies using One Joint Venture of Tractebel and De-Crown Projects Ltd and Sino Hydro Groups.

“De-Crown projects Ltd was used as a project consultant, and Sino Hydro Groups was the engineering procurement contractor.

“Our investigation revealed that a huge amount of money from the project account of Mambila was sent to different entities that were not authorised on the project.

“We then wrote letters of investigation activities to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for Mambila and Zungeru hydroelectric power plant projects.

“When we analyzed the responses, we saw that over N33.8bn from the project account were sent to over 13 entities that are not the authorised contact.

“Some of them are Prymint Investment Ltd, Gurupche Business Enterprise, Shipikin Global Enterprises, Silverline Ventures, Intech Nigeria Ltd, Breathable Investment Ltd, First Class Contraction Ltd, Spinhillls Biz International Ltd, Fulex Utility Concept Ltd, Platinum Enterprise among others.

“We also requested the bank record of the accounts from corporate affairs and other commercial banks which revealed that the persons behind the operation of these entities were mainly Maina Goje, Abdulahi Suleiman and Abdulahi Garba.

“We invited them to account for the funds they received from the Mambila project account. They reported to our office where they informed us that they have never applied for any contract with the federal ministry of power or the Federal Government.

“They said they were bureau de change operatives. They also mentioned that all the monies received were disbursed based on the instructions of one Mustapha Abubakar Dida.

“The disbursements were usually in foreign currencies, naira cash and sometimes via bank transfers.”

The EFCC witness said Mustapha Dida was the project accountant of the Mambilla and Zungeru power plant projects.

Kweido added that the owners of the BDC entities said they have never met with Dida or Mamman but that they had physical contact with Bawo Idris, a personal assistant to the former minister.

The EFCC witness said when Idris was invited by the agency, she confirmed receiving instructions from the defendant for funds disbursement.

The case was adjourned to October 9, 2024 for continuation of trial.

Mamman was appointed minister by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019 and was sacked in September 2021.

In May 2023, the former minister was arrested by the anti-graft agency over an alleged fraud.