A bureau de change (BDC) operator, Abdullahi Suleman, has testified before a Federal High Court, revealing that he received more than N22 billion from the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in multiple transactions. Suleman stated that the money was sent to him to exchange into US dollars.
Saleh Mamman is currently facing a 12-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing him of conspiracy to commit money laundering involving N33.8 billion.
During the court proceedings on Wednesday, Suleman, while being questioned by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), disclosed that around 12 of his business accounts received funds from the Federal Ministry of Power without performing any services, contracts, or projects.
According to a statement by EFCC’s Head of Media, Dele Oyewole, the accounts linked to companies such as Prymint Investment Limited, Strong Field International Projects Limited, Mintedge Nigeria Limited, First Class Construction and Project, Silverline Ocean Ventures, Golden Bond Nigeria Limited, Sipikin Global Enterprise, Spinhiills Biz International Limited, Fullest Utility Concepts Limited, Platinum Touch Enterprises, Breathable Investment Limited, and Gurupche Business Enterprises (owned by Suleman’s brother) were used for the transactions.
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Suleman testified that he was introduced to the arrangement by a fellow BDC operator, Alhaji Maina Goje.
He added, “I also know Mr. Mustapha Muhammed. Goje told me that he is his oga. I didn’t know him before until Maina Goje introduced him to me. Then I learnt he works with the Federal Ministry of Housing and instructed that anytime they can’t reach him, I should give him the amount of dollars he requested.”
When presented with Exhibit X series, which included bank statements from his companies showing evidence of funds transferred into accounts belonging to Strong Field International Projects Limited, Mintedge Nigeria Limited, and Prymint Investment Limited, Suleman confirmed that these were the accounts he provided to Maina Goje.
Earlier in the trial, a Compliance Officer from FCMB submitted bank statements and supporting documents in response to an EFCC request dated August 16, 2024.
The documents, which pertain to Prymint Investments Limited, Platinum Touch Enterprises, Royal Perimeter Ventures, Golden Bond Nigeria Limited, Flex Utility Concepts Limited, and Bentech Nigeria Limited, were admitted as Exhibit XTUB.
Justice James Omotosho has scheduled the continuation of the trial for January 23, 2025.
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