A Bureau de Change (BDC) operator has stated that he received over ₦22 billion from the Federal Ministry of Power, implicating the ministry in an alleged ₦33.8 billion fraud.
This information was revealed during the trial of Saleh Mamman, the former Minister of Power, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The trial, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, resumed on Wednesday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting its eighth witness, Abdullahi Suleman, a BDC operator.
A statement signed by Dele Odewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, detailed these revelations. Suleman explained how over ₦22 billion was funneled from the ministry while Mamman was in office.
He stated that the naira equivalent of the funds was converted to U.S. dollars through multiple business accounts associated with him. Suleman’s companies, including Prymint Investment Limited and Strong Field International Projects Limited, were allegedly used to facilitate the transactions without providing any services or executing contracts.
He testified that the funds were deposited into 12 accounts belonging to his companies, as well as an account owned by his brother’s company, Gurupche Business Enterprises. “From my rough calculations, the amount I received through the transactions exceeds ₦22 billion,” he testified. Suleman also discussed his dealings with an individual named Maina Goje, who coordinated the transactions and often instructed him on converting the funds to dollars.
He alleged that Goje was sometimes represented by a man nicknamed “Yaro Minister,” who was reportedly close to Saleh Mamman. Suleman further testified that Goje introduced him to Mustapha Mohammed, an official with the Federal Ministry of Housing, who occasionally issued instructions regarding dollar conversions.
He admitted to providing dollar equivalents upon Mohammed’s request. The prosecution presented bank statements detailing the flow of funds through Suleman’s companies, indicating several notable transactions.
These included ₦285.9 million received on May 24, 2021, ₦320 million deposited on January 1, 2021, ₦184 million on June 18, 2021, and ₦178.3 million transferred on July 14, 2021. Subsequent payments included ₦75.4 million on August 5, 2021, and ₦64.7 million on February 16, 2022. Suleman confirmed that he received these funds and acknowledged their transfer as directed by Goje. Earlier in the proceedings, a compliance officer from FCMB presented bank statements and related documents linked to Suleman’s companies.
These documents were admitted into evidence as Exhibit XTUB. Saleh Mamman is facing a 12-count charge filed by the EFCC, including conspiracy and money laundering amounting to ₦33.8 billion. The EFCC alleges that the former minister orchestrated a complex scheme to siphon public funds. Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to Thursday, January 23, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
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