Supporters of former Minister of Power, Engineer Sale Mamman, have called for a more extensive investigation into the N33.8 billion money laundering allegations against him, arguing that the real culprits behind the financial transactions should be identified.
In a statement released in Jalingo on Friday and signed by Jacob Sunkani, the group raised concerns that the allegations may be politically motivated.
They pointed to recent developments in the trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, particularly the testimony of a key prosecution witness, Abdullahi Suleiman, a Bureau de Change operator, which they claim casts doubt on the case against the former minister.
The statement noted that during cross-examination by Mamman’s defense counsel, Femi Ate (SAN), Suleiman admitted that his companies had received payments both before and after Mamman’s tenure.
Documents presented in court, according to the group, showed that funds were transferred to various entities including Fullest Utility Concept, Platinum Touch Enterprise Ltd, and Silver Line Ocean Ventures between 2018 and 2022. Some of these transactions, they emphasized, took place after Mamman left office on September 1, 2021.
“Suleiman also reportedly disclosed that he had returned some funds, including N217 million and an undisclosed amount in U.S. dollars, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He stated that a third party, Maina Goje, had informed him that the EFCC was the intended recipient of the funds,” the statement read.
Under re-examination by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Suleiman admitted that the anti-graft agency told him the payments originated from the Ministry of Power. However, he acknowledged that the transaction descriptions did not explicitly link the funds to the ministry, instead referring to vague terms such as “federal MI being payment for office consumer.”
The group also pointed out that Suleiman denied knowing Engineer Sale Mamman personally or having any direct dealings with him.
“When asked how he associated the funds with Mamman, he reportedly stated that the EFCC had told him so,” the statement continued. “Furthermore, when confronted with the fact that some payments were made after Mamman left office, Suleiman admitted that he had handed over the money to the EFCC.”
The supporters argued that the revelations have fueled skepticism, particularly in Taraba State, where many believe that the case against Mamman may be an attempt to scapegoat the former minister.
They further alleged that the funds in question were originally lodged at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by individuals who may have sought to implicate the Ministry of Power in a larger scheme.
The group insisted that if there is credible evidence against Mamman, it should be presented transparently rather than relying on what they describe as “speculative allegations.”
