A Bureau de Change (BDC) operator has stated that it received more than ₦22 billion from the Federal Ministry of Power, suggesting the ministry’s involvement in an alleged ₦33.8 billion fraud. This information emerged during the trial of Saleh Mamman, the former Minister of Power, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The trial, overseen by Justice James Omotosho, resumed on Wednesday, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting its eighth witness, Abdullahi Suleman, a BDC operator. The details were included in a statement signed by Dele Odewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC.
According to the statement, Suleman detailed how over ₦22 billion was diverted from the ministry while Mamman was in office. He explained that the naira amount was converted into U.S. dollars through several business accounts linked to him. Suleman’s companies, including Prymint Investment Limited, Strong Field International Projects Limited, and others, were reportedly used to facilitate these transactions without providing any actual services or executing contracts.
Suleman stated that the funds were transferred into 12 accounts belonging to his companies, along with an account held by his brother’s business, Gurupche Business Enterprises.
“Based on my rough estimates, the total amount I received through these transactions exceeds ₦22 billion,” he testified.
He also revealed his interactions with an individual named Maina Goje, who managed the transactions and frequently directed him on how to convert funds into dollars. Suleman claimed that Goje was sometimes represented by a man known as “Yaro Minister,” who is reportedly close to Saleh Mamman.
Additionally, Suleman testified that Goje introduced him to Mustapha Mohammed, an official from the Federal Ministry of Housing, who occasionally provided instructions for dollar conversions. Suleman admitted to supplying dollar equivalents upon Mohammed’s request.
“The prosecution presented bank statements that outlined the flow of funds through Suleman’s companies, showing a significant transaction of ₦285.9 million received on May 24, 2021.
“Another deposit of ₦320 million occurred on January 1, 2021, followed by ₦184 million on June 18, 2021. Furthermore, ₦178.3 million was transferred on July 14, 2021. Subsequent payments included ₦75.4 million on August 5, 2021, and ₦64.7 million on February 16, 2022,” the statement noted.
Suleman confirmed receiving the funds and recognized their transfer as instructed by Goje. Earlier in the hearing, a compliance officer from FCMB presented bank statements and related documents associated with Suleman’s companies, which were accepted into evidence as Exhibit XTUB.
Saleh Mamman is facing a 12-count charge brought by the EFCC, which includes conspiracy and money laundering amounting to ₦33.8 billion. The EFCC claims that the former minister orchestrated a complex scheme to…
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