EFCC Uncovers Massive Fraud in Mambilla Power Project
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered a massive fraud in the Mambilla Power Project, with a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, at the center of the scandal. According to an operative of the EFCC, Abubakar Kweido, who testified as the first witness in the ongoing trial of Mamman, the former minister made multiple unauthorized transfers from the project account to Bureau de Change operators.
Kweido revealed that the investigation into the alleged N33.8 billion fraud showed that 13 entities received funds from the Mambilla project account, but none of them were authorized to work on the project. The entities, which received a total of N33.8 billion, were not involved in the power project, but were rather used as fronts to siphon funds from the project account.
Mamman was arrested and detained by the EFCC in May 2021 and subsequently arraigned before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on 12 counts of alleged money laundering. He has since pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During his testimony, Kweido explained that the investigation was initiated by writing letters to various ministries and agencies, as well as commercial banks, to obtain information on the Mambilla Power Project. The responses revealed that Mamman had authorized payments to some contractors and companies using One Joint Venture of Tractebel and De-Crown Projects Ltd and Sino Hydro Groups.
However, further investigation revealed that a large sum of money from the project account was sent to entities that were not authorized on the project. The EFCC also obtained bank records from corporate affairs and other commercial banks, which showed that the persons behind the operation of these entities were mainly Maina Goje, Abdulahi Suleiman, and Abdulahi Garba.
When invited to explain their roles, these individuals reported that they were Bureau de Change operators and had never applied for any contract with the federal Ministry of Power or the Federal Government. They claimed that all the monies received were disbursed based on instructions from one Mustapha Abubakar Dida.
The EFCC also discovered that Bawo Idris, a personal assistant to Mamman, was involved in the disbursement of funds. When questioned by the agency, Idris confirmed receiving instructions from Mamman for funds disbursement.
The case has been adjourned till October 9, 2024, for further proceedings.
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