AN EFCC investigator testifying in the ongoing trial-within-trial of former Power Minister Saleh Mamman has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the defendant willingly provided several confessional statements to the Commission, all made in the presence of his legal counsel and associates.
Appearing before Justice James Omotosho, the first prosecution witness, Abubakar Kwaido, rejected allegations that the statements were extracted under pressure.
“I was surprised to hear that he was threatened, as you can see in the videos we played, the defendant and his lawyer were smiling,” Kwaido said.
“He gave all his statements personally, either written or dictated, and in the presence of his legal representatives or close associates.”
According to a statement posted by the EFCC on its official Facebook page on Thursday, Mr Kwaido told the court that the former minister gave his statements to the Commission on 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, and 19 May, as well as 3 and 9 August 2023.
Each session, he said, was conducted with different lawyers or individuals accompanying the defendant.
“On 11 May 2023, it was taken in the presence of his counsel, P.A. Aderungi; on 12 May, P.A. Adewuyi and Aliyu Musa were present. On 15 May, he was cautioned and his statement taken in the presence of Muzzarril Yahaya.
“On 17 May, it was in the presence of Umar Yunusa; on 19 May, Paul Adetako. On 3 August, he came with his business partner, Rabiu, and on 9 August, with Sulieman Yusuf,” Kwaido detailed.
Mamman is standing trial on a 12-count charge brought against him by the EFCC, bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of ₦33.8 billion, allegedly linked to the Mambilla Power Project.
While defence counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, opposed the admissibility of the extra-judicial statements, arguing they were coerced, the court admitted them into evidence after prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, made compelling arguments in their favour.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to Friday, 27 June 2025, for continuation of cross-examination.
