EFCC Files Fresh N31bn Fraud Charges Against Ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman and 7 Others
By Godwin Tsa, Abuja
High-Profile Corruption Case Takes New Turn
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has escalated its legal battle against former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman, filing new criminal charges before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. The fresh case alleges an N31 billion advance fee fraud scheme involving multiple government officials and private entities.
The Defendants and Their Alleged Roles
In the charge marked FCT/CR/375/2025, Mamman faces prosecution alongside seven co-defendants:
- Mustapha Abubakar Bida – Director of Finance and Accounts, Federal Ministry of Power
- Joseph Omotayo Adewunmi
- Ben Nsikak – Director, Federal Project/Financial Management
- Stephen Ojo – Accounts Officer, Federal Ministry of Power
- Michael Achua – Assistant Project Accountant
- Ogunjobi Olusola – Assistant Accountant, Federal Ministry of Power
Details of the Alleged Fraud Scheme
The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa, alleges that between 2019 and 2022, the defendants conspired to defraud the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing of N31,070,541,349.64 through various private companies.
Specific Charges and Financial Transactions
The EFCC’s charge sheet outlines several key allegations:
Count 1: The defendants allegedly obtained N483,205,650 through Breathable Investment Limited’s Zenith Bank account (No. 1016555108) under false pretenses of compensating communities affected by the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project.
Count 2: N462,874,250 was allegedly obtained through First Class Construction and Project’s Zenith Bank account (No. 1016554314) for purported “payment for IPC No 20 of Zungeru HELP.”
Count 3: Another N635,470,900 was allegedly obtained through the same First Class Construction account for “compensation on buildings/structures on communities affected by Zungeru HELP.”
Count 5: The prosecution claims N435,250,130 was obtained through Fullest Utility Concept’s First City Monument Bank account (No. 3909209012) for “payment for buildings/structures by Niger State Committee on Resettlement.”
Parallel Legal Proceedings
This new case comes alongside Mamman’s existing trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he faces a 12-count charge related to an alleged N33.8 billion money laundering scheme connected to the Mambilla power project.
Defendant’s Claims of Coercion
During proceedings at the Federal High Court, Mamman testified that EFCC investigators subjected him to uncomfortable conditions during interrogation. The former minister claimed:
- He was compelled to make statements while in poor health
- Requests for medical recovery time were denied
- An investigator allegedly told him he was the “target” of the probe
Court Proceedings Delayed
The scheduled arraignment before the FCT High Court was postponed due to the absence of Chief Judge Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, who was engaged at the National Judicial Institute. The case has been rescheduled for July 15, 2025.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
This case represents one of Nigeria’s most significant corruption prosecutions in recent years, involving:
- High-ranking former government officials
- Complex financial transactions across multiple accounts
- Alleged abuse of public funds meant for critical infrastructure projects
Legal experts anticipate the proceedings will shed light on financial management practices within Nigeria’s power sector and potentially lead to reforms in project financing oversight.
For more details on this developing story, read the original report at The Sun Nigeria.