Abubakar Kweido, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified on Tuesday that former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman diverted a portion of N33.8 billion from the Mambilla Hydro project to buy properties in Abuja.

The EFCC published details of the court proceedings on Wednesday.

Kweido, the first prosecution witness in Mamman’s trial told a Federal High Court that funds were misappropriated and diverted to acquire properties in Kado Estate and Wuse 2 in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Our investigation showed that the former minister used some of the funds meant for the Mambilla Hydro project to purchase properties in Abuja,” Kweido said.

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Kweido also stated that Mamman denied involvement, blaming Maisbahu Idris, his Personal Assistant, for handling the funds.

“The minister denied any connection to the properties, stating that his PA, Idris, usually received money from the project accountant to distribute among ministry staff,” Kweido testified.

Per the EFCC, however, foreign currency and corporate documents linked to Abangus Nigeria Limited, a company the EFCC claims was used to facilitate the diversion of funds, were found during a search of the ex-minister’s residence.

“We found foreign currencies in cash during the search, along with CAC documents showing that Abangus Nig. Ltd was used to siphon money from the project account,” Kweido added.

The court admitted payment vouchers for Abangus Nig. Ltd and cash recovered from Mamman’s residence as evidence.

James Omotosho, the presiding judge at the court, adjourned the trial until October 23. Mamman, who was arraigned on July 11, faces a 12-count charge, including conspiracy to launder money and diverting N33.8 billion from the Mambilla Hydro project.

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In a September sitting presided over by Omotosho, Kweido disclosed that bank transfers were made from the project account meant for the project to over 13 entities, according to the EFCC.

Mamman isn’t the only former minister involved in the Mambilla power project scandal. In December 2023, the EFCC declared Olu Agunloye, former Minister of Steel and Power, wanted for his role in misappropriating funds for the project. Agunloye was remanded in Kuje prison in January but later granted bail for N50 million.

Arbitration filings had previously implicated Agunloye and Leno Adesanya, the chairman of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company, in awarding contracts for the project without Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval.

In a recent court proceeding, Adewale Agunbiade, a former Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) employee, testified that Agunloye received N5.2 million from a staff member of Sunrise Power.