The trial of former power minister, Saleh Mamman, continued on Thursday at the federal high court in Abuja.
During the hearing, the prosecution submitted new evidence in a trial-within-trial to prove that Mamman’s confessional statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were made “voluntarily,” countering his claims of being coerced.
Mamman is facing 12 charges related to alleged money laundering connected to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects.
The EFCC has accused him of being involved in a conspiracy to launder “N33.8 billion.”
At the session, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo brought EFCC investigator Abubakar Kwaido to testify.
Kwaido told the court: “There was at no point I harassed or intimidated him with detention.”
He added, “My boss was even asking him if he could write, but he said he would ask his lawyer to write on his behalf.”
A video of Mamman’s statement shown in court depicted him speaking calmly, stating he made cash payments of “N5 million” on three occasions to avoid making transfers that might draw attention due to his position as a civil servant.
The funds were reportedly used to purchase a property in Kado, Abuja, via Abubakar Bida, the accountant for the Mambilla project.
“Honestly, I gave him N5 million about three times. I didn’t transfer or put it in his account. I gave him cash,” Mamman said in the footage.
“Why I didn’t do a transfer was because I am a civil servant and I have left my business and some of my things, so I have been very careful.”
He also referenced a discussion with someone named Sam:
“I said to Sam that there’s a house in Kado, but I have to collect the documents of the house. That’s why I told you that there’s no issue between me and him.”
In the video, Mamman also talked about acquiring another property in Wuse, Abuja, along with a friend in the House of Representatives, who used another person’s name for the purchase.
“We went together and bought the house in Wuse. It was me and my friend that joined and bought the house, but he gave another person’s name instead of his. Now I’m even struggling to get the papers for the house,” he explained.
“We bought the house from N30 to N35 million and we agreed I will be giving him the money in tranches.
“Things became somehow and I then left the office. He didn’t give me the papers and that’s how I left office.”
In the recording, Mamman repeatedly called Bida dishonest, saying:
“Mustapha is a liar. It was his PA that did all these things,” naming Musbahu Idris.
Despite this, he acknowledged benefiting from the situation.
“Whether I like it or not, I benefitted because my people have benefited from the money. That was why I was all involved in it.”
He also explained that due to health issues, he had asked his lawyer to write on his behalf.
“Honestly, I can’t write. I’m not too strong, but as you can see, I’m about to take my medication. That’s why I spoke to him to write because I don’t want to stress myself.”
“The doctors warned me not to stress myself. I was advised by my lawyer to come so that it will all be easy.”
Presiding judge James Omotosho postponed the proceedings to April 14 for continuation of the trial.
