The trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, continued on Thursday, April 10, 2025, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, with the prosecution presenting further evidence in a trial-within-trial to justify the admissibility of the extra-judicial statements of the defendant, who claimed that he volunteered them under duress.
Mamman is facing prosecution in relation to the Mambilla Power Project by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 12-count charge, bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-three Kobo).
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Abubakar Muhammed Kwaido an EFCC investigator maintained that Mamman made his statements to the Commission without intimidation or force. “There was at no point I harassed or intimidated him with detention. My boss was even asking him if he could write, but he said he would ask his lawyer to write on his behalf,” he said.
In a video clip of Mamman’s statement to the Commission which was played in court, the defendant was seen clarifying to investigators in a convivial atmosphere that he chose to avoid payment for an Abuja property through financial institutions to evade detection, considering his position in the government.
“Honestly, I gave him N5million about three times. I didn’t transfer or put it in his account. I gave him cash. Why I didn’t do a transfer was because I am a civil servant and I have left my business and some of my things, so I have been very careful,” he said.
He further disclosed that the payments were made to Abubakar Mustapha Bida in relation to a house he acquired through him. Bida is the Mambilla Project Accountant. “After the payment, he then gave me the house, that is why I didn’t bring up that issue. Then I accepted the house at Kado,” he said.
Mamman was also seen in the clip narrating how he discussed the property with one Sam. “I said to Sam that there’s a house in Kado, but I have to collect the documents of the house. That’s why I told you that there’s no issue between me and him.”
He was also seen claiming that he jointly purchased another property in Wuse, Abuja with a friend who is a member of the House of Representatives, who chose to register the house with a different name. “We went together and bought the house in Wuse. It was me and my friend that joined and bought the house, but he gave another person’s name instead of his. Now I’m even struggling to get the papers for the house,” he said.
Speaking further in the clip, he said, “We bought the house from N30 to N35 million and we agreed I will be giving him the money in tranches. Things became somehow and I then left the office. He didn’t give me the papers and that’s how I left office.”
Mamman in the video, repeatedly accused Abubakar Mustapha Bida of dishonesty. “Mustapha is a liar. It was his PA that did all these things,” he said, referring to one Musbahu Idris. Nonetheless, he admitted benefitting from the transaction. “Whether I like it or not, I benefitted, because my people have benefited from the money. That was why I was all involved in it,” he said.
In the video, he was also seen explaining to Kwaido that his lawyer has his nod to write his statements on his behalf because he was a bit under the weather. Asked by Kwaido if he could write, he replied: “Honestly I can’t write, I’m not too strong, but as you can see, I’m about to take my medication. That’s why I spoke to him to write because I don’t want to stress myself. The doctors warned me not to stress myself. I was advised by my lawyer to come so that it will all be easy,” he said.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till Monday, April 14, 2025, for continuation of trial.
