EFCC Tenders More Evidence in Mamman’s N33.8bn Fraud Case as Trial-within-Trial Progresses
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, April 10, 2025, advanced its case against former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, by presenting further evidence before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as part of a trial-within-trial focused on the admissibility of the defendant’s statements to the Commission.
Mamman, who is facing a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N33.8 billion linked to the Mambilla Power Project, has alleged that his confessional statements were made under duress—an allegation the prosecution is determined to refute.
Testifying for the prosecution, EFCC investigator Abubakar Muhammed Kwaido insisted that Mamman made his statements voluntarily and without coercion. “There was at no point I harassed or intimidated him with detention,” Kwaido told the court. He added that Mamman even requested that his lawyer write the statements on his behalf due to his health condition.
A video recording of Mamman’s statement to the Commission, played in court, showed him admitting to cash payments made outside the banking system in a bid to avoid detection. “Honestly, I gave him N5 million about three times. I didn’t transfer or put it in his account. I gave him cash… I have been very careful,” Mamman explained in the clip.
He detailed his property dealings, including payments made to Abubakar Mustapha Bida, the Mambilla Project Accountant, and the joint purchase of another property in Wuse with a member of the House of Representatives, registered under a third-party name.
Despite branding Bida a liar and pointing fingers at his PA, Musbahu Idris, Mamman acknowledged benefitting from the questionable transactions. “Whether I like it or not, I benefitted, because my people have benefited from the money,” he admitted.
In the same video, Mamman cited health concerns for his inability to write his own statements, stating that his lawyer acted with his full consent. “Honestly I can’t write, I’m not too strong… The doctors warned me not to stress myself,” he said.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to Monday, April 14, 2025, for continuation of trial.
