Ex-Minister Mamman allegedly spent N20m on resort lodging – witness
The trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, accused of a N33.8 billion fraud, resumed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Justice James Omotosho presided over the session, which featured the cross-examination of Colonel Adebisi Adesanya (retd), the third prosecution witness.
Colonel Adesanya, owner and Chief Security Officer of Sami Court Resort Limited, revealed during testimony that Mamman spent N20 million on lodging at his resort for a year. This sum, he alleged, was diverted from funds meant for the Mambilla Hydro Power project.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Mamman on a 12-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering totaling N33.8 billion.
While testifying on November 26, Adesanya disclosed that the resort operates as a serviced apartment catering to long-term lodgers. He confirmed issuing an invoice for N20 million to Mamman, covering a one-year stay from August 30, 2021, to August 30, 2022.
“Inflows from accommodation and lodging payments were deposited into the resort’s UBA account. Exhibit PWC contains the details,” Adesanya said.
He provided a breakdown of payments made on behalf of Mamman:
N5 million on September 6, 2021, by Golden Bond Nigeria Limited.
N5 million on January 23, 2022, by Mintedge Nigeria Limited.
N2.5 million on March 9, 2022, by Abdullahi Suleiman.
N7.5 million on May 10, 2022, by A.I.J Global Tools Limited.
“These payments, totaling N20 million, were all for a one-bedroom rental,” Adesanya confirmed.
During Wednesday’s cross-examination, defense counsel Femi Atteh, SAN, probed Adesanya on his role in the financial transactions. Adesanya admitted to being questioned by the EFCC in September 2023 about the inflows from 2019 to 2021.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the trial until January 13, 2025, for further proceedings.
The EFCC has pledged to present additional evidence linking Mamman to alleged misappropriation of public funds.
