Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may arraign a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, today for allegedly laundering over N33, 804, 830, 593.73.
Mamman, who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to face 12-count charge, based on offences he allegedly committed during his tenure between August 2019 and September 2021.
The offences border on conspiracy to commit money laundering, and possession and use of known proceeds of criminal conduct, reports The Nation.
According to some of the charges, Mamman allegedly conspired with other officials of the Ministry of Power and private companies to “indirectly convert the total sum of N33, 804, 830, 593.73, which was part of the proceeds of unlawful activity.”
The EFCC said the unlawful conversion was a “criminal breach of trust in relation to the funds released for Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Also, he was alleged to have contravened Section 18(a), 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as Amended), and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Out of the sum, the EFCC said the former minister allegedly made a cash payment of $665,700(then worth about N200 million) for the purchase and acquisition of a landed property at No. 12A & B Lungi Street, Off Cairo Street, in Wuse II part of Abuja.
The cash was paid to MOHIBA INVESTMENT LTD (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution.
The EFCC said Mamman therefore, allegedly committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended), and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act,
He was also alleged to have violated Sections 30(1Xf) and 22(a) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, and punishable under Section 30(2)(a) of the same Act.
The EFCC said between the 21 day of August 2019 and the 1st day of September 2021, in Abuja, the Ex-Minister indirectly took possession of Houses 93A & B, Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado, Abuja, which property he reasonably ought to know was derived from the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust in relation to the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The agency said Mamman committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
He was accused of spending N20million of the project funds to rent a One-Bedroom Apartment in Sammy Court Resort, which sum he reasonably ought to know formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
He was alleged to have between January 20, 2020 and the 31st day of December 2020, in Abuja, through MISBAHU IDRIS, his Personal Assistant as Minister of Power, used the aggregate sum of N130,778,000:00 from the power plants’ votes, contrary to Section 15(2\d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
The charges were filed and signed by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika(SAN) ; Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa(SAN); Bikikisu Bala; Suleiman I. Suleiman; Chineye C. Okezie; and Abbas O. Muhammed.
Bearing any change in plan, the ex-minister will be arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho.
