BDC Operator Testifies On Alleged N33.8bn Fraud Linked To Former Power Minister

Abuja, Nigeria- The trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on charges of about N33.8 billion fraud, continued on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with fresh revelations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) 8th witness.

Testifying before Justice James Omotosho, Abdullahi Suleman, a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, detailed how over N22 billion was allegedly funneled through his business accounts, amounting to the naira equivalent of the large sum in United States dollars.

Suleman, who runs a number of businesses, said the funds were transferred from the Federal Ministry of Power during Mamman’s tenure, with no apparent service, contract, or project to justify the transactions.

Suleman’s testimony, delivered under questioning by EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, revealed that the money was funneled into 12 of his business accounts, including those under his companies: Prymint Investment Limited, Strong Field International Projects Limited, Mintedge Nigeria Limited, and several others.

Meanwhile, a company owned by Suleman’s brother, Gurupche Business Enterprises, was also implicated in the alleged money laundering scheme.

The ex-minister, Mamman, faces a 12-count charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering, amounting to a total of N33,804,830,503.73.

When shown Exhibit X series, which contained bank statements generated from his companies showing evidence of money inflows into his bank accounts with Strong Field international Projects Limited, Mintedge Nigeria Limited, Prymint Investment Limited, the witness admitted that they were the accounts he gave Maina Goje.

Among some of the notable transactions shown to him on the accounts were; N285,983,285 received on 24th May 2021, N278, 248.611 on 26th May 2021, , N320m on 1st January, 2021, 184m on 18 June, 2021, N178,300,285 on 14th July 2021, , N75,420, 000 on 5th August 2021, N75,120,000 on 1st December 2021, N68,150,620 and N70,650 on 15th December 2021, N90,247,395 on 12th Jan 2022, N64, 747,627 on 16 February 2022, among others and he agreed receiving them.

Earlier, a Compliance Officer from FCMB presented and tendered bank statements and attachments in a reply letter to the EFCC dated August 16, 2024 in respect of Prymint Investments Limited, Platinum Touch Enterprises, Royal Perimeter Ventures, Golden Bond Nigeria Limited, Flex Utility Concepts Limited, Bentech Nigeria Limited admitted and marked Exhibit XTUB.

The judge adjourned the matter to 23 January, 2024 for continuation of hearing.