‘N33.8b fraud’: Mamman accuses lawyer of misrepresenting his statement to EFCC

A former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has said his lawyer misrepresented him in the statements he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mamman faces a 12-count charge over alleged money laundering connected with the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

The EFCC is prosecuting the former minister over alleged conspiracy to launder N33.8 billion.

Giving evidence as the first defence witness during a trial-within-trial on Wednesday, Mamman said he went to the EFCC’s office on February 20, 2025, with his lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, when the commission’s prosecutors interviewed him.

During cross-examination by prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, the former minister admitted that he authorised Ahmed to write his statements on his behalf.

But Mamman alleged that his lawyer fabricated some portions of the statement, saying he was not sure everything written reflected what he actually said.

When asked to identify the fabricated portion of the statement from the exhibits, Mamman said he could not remember.

The former minister acknowledged that at the time of his invitation, he was neither maltreated nor threatened with imprisonment by the EFCC officials.

The presiding judge, James Omotosho, adjourned the matter till July 15 for the adoption of written addresses.

Source; The Nation News.