The corruption trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, took a dramatic turn as Mohammed Ashelk Jidda, the Fourteenth Prosecution Witness, testified before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Jidda revealed explosive details, alleging that Mamman paid him the dollar equivalent of N200 million in cash for a luxury five-bedroom property located at No. 12a & b Lungi Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
The testimony, disclosed in a press release by the Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on March 5, 2025, sheds further light on the N33.8 billion fraud case linked to the Mambilla Power Project. Mamman is currently facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 12 counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jidda, who originally owned the property, described how the transaction unfolded. He stated that Mamman arrived at his office with several individuals, initially negotiating payment in Naira, but later opting for cash in U.S. dollars. The sale was officially documented between Jidda’s company, Mohibat Investment Limited, and Mohammed Hussein, who acted on Mamman’s behalf.
Further strengthening the prosecution’s case, Samson Bitrus, a real estate agent, testified that he facilitated the purchase. Bitrus detailed how a business associate introduced him to Mamman and tasked him with finding a property free of encumbrances. He confirmed that Mamman and Hussein were physically present during the sale and verified the payment method—entirely in dollars.
The courtroom also heard from Umar Abbatilde, a compliance officer at Zenith Bank, who provided insight into financial transactions linked to Bitrus’s account. He revealed substantial inflows and outflows, including transfers to Mamman’s accounts, adding a financial trail to the corruption allegations.
As the case gains momentum, all eyes are now on the March 18 and 19, 2025, court hearings, when more evidence will be presented. The trial has become one of Nigeria’s most high-profile corruption cases, with serious implications for accountability in government and the power sector.