Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that his statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during investigations into the alleged N33.8 billion Mambilla power project fraud was made under duress and in poor health.
Testifying before Justice James Omotosho in a trial-within-trial session, Mamman claimed that he was denied a one-week adjournment to recover from illness before giving his statement. He said he was in severe pain during the interrogation and pleaded with investigators for a postponement, presenting a medical report as evidence, but his request was rejected.
Led in evidence by his counsel, Femi Atteh (SAN), the ex-minister recounted that he visited the EFCC on February 20, accompanied by his lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed of Pineal Solicitors. According to Mamman, his lawyer was the one who wrote the statement on his behalf, as he was too unwell to write it himself. However, he admitted that he could not confirm whether the content of the statement precisely reflected what he had dictated.
He alleged that one of the EFCC investigators, identified only as Shehu, informed him bluntly that he was the main target of the investigation.
“My Lord, I was in serious pain and tears during the session. I begged them to allow me one week to recover before giving my statement, but they refused. I even presented my medical report, but the investigator, Shehu, told me I was the target,” Mamman told the court.
During cross-examination by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Mamman stated that he could not recall all the events that transpired during the investigation due to his ill health at the time.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to July 15 for the adoption of final written addresses in the trial-within-trial.
Meanwhile, legal analysts have questioned the EFCC’s decision not to prosecute other key figures allegedly involved in the fraud. Concerns were raised over the absence of Mustapha Bida, the Project Accountant for both the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric projects, as well as his two assistants—Oladipo Adebowale and Ogunjobi Olusola—and certain Bureau De Change operators and companies, from the initial charge sheet.
In a related development, the EFCC has filed a new criminal charge against Mamman and seven others before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The fresh charge, marked FCT/CR/375/2025, involves alleged advance fee fraud totaling N31 billion.
Co-defendants include Mustapha Abubakar Bida, Joseph Omotayo Adewunmi, Ben Nsikak, Stephen Ojo, Oladipo Adebowale, and Ogunjobi Olusola.
Among them, Adewunmi serves as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Power, Nsikak is responsible for project deployment, and Ojo is the Director of Accounts and Financial Management at the ministry.
The unfolding legal battle underscores the complexity of the high-profile corruption probe surrounding Nigeria’s troubled power sector.
