A bureau de change operator, Abdullahi Suleman, has provided detailed testimony in the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, accusing the latter of orchestrating the diversion of over ₦22 billion from the Federal Ministry of Power.
Mamman is currently facing a 12-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for conspiracy and money laundering involving ₦33.8 billion.
The case is being heard at the Federal High Court in Abuja by Justice James Omotosho.
During the hearing on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the EFCC presented its eighth witness, Suleman.
Under questioning by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Suleman revealed that he facilitated the conversion of the siphoned funds into U.S. dollars through his business accounts.
According to Suleman, payments were made into about 12 accounts linked to his companies, including Prymint Investment Limited, Strong Field International Projects Limited, and Mintedge Nigeria Limited, despite no services or projects being rendered.
Other companies involved included First Class Construction and Project, Silverline Ocean Ventures, and a firm owned by his brother, Gurupche Business Enterprises.
Suleman disclosed that in 2019, a man named Alhaji Maina Goje approached him, requesting his account details to conduct transactions. Goje transferred funds to these accounts, which Suleman converted into dollars and returned to him.
This arrangement allegedly continued until 2024. Suleman estimated that the transactions he managed totalled over ₦22 billion.
He added that Goje sometimes sent a representative, referred to as “Yaro Minister,” to facilitate transactions when unavailable.
Suleman also mentioned being introduced to Mustapha Muhammed, a Federal Ministry of Housing official, who occasionally instructed him to provide specified amounts in dollars.
Bank statements presented as evidence confirmed several significant deposits into Suleman’s accounts, including ₦285.9 million on May 24, 2021, ₦278.2 million on May 26, 2021, and ₦320 million on January 1, 2021.
Other transactions included ₦184 million on June 18, 2021, and ₦178.3 million on July 14, 2021, among others. Suleman acknowledged receiving these funds.
The trial continues as the EFCC seeks to establish the full extent of the alleged financial mismanagement.