Former power minister Saleh Mamman’s trial is pending, and an EFCC investigator has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the defendant willingly gave the Commission a number of confessional statements, all of which were made in the presence of his legal team and associates.
The first prosecution witness, Abubakar Kwaido, testified against claims that the statements were taken under duress before Justice James Omotosho.
As you can see from the videos we played, the defendant and his attorney were smiling, Kwaido said, “I was surprised to hear that he was threatened.” He delivered all of his statements in person, either by writing or by dictating them, and with the assistance of his legal representatives or close friends.
Mr. Kwaido told the court that the former minister made his statements to the Commission on May 10, 11, 12, 15, and 3 August 2023, as well as 3 and 9 August 2023, according to a statement posted by the EFCC on its official Facebook page on Thursday.
He claimed that the defendant was accompanied by various attorneys or individuals at each session.
It was taken on May 11, 2023, in the presence of P. A. Aderungi, and on May 12, Adewuyi and Aliyu Musa, respectively. He was given a warning on May 15 and had his statement read in Muzzarril Yahaya’s presence.
It was Paul Adetako on May 17 and Umar Yunusa on May 19th. He and his business partner, Rabiu, arrived on August 3 and Sulieman Yusuf, “Kwaido detailed,” on August 9.
Read more about Mama Boko Haram’s arrest for 11 million contract fraud in Maiduguri.
The EFCC is bringing Mr. Mamman to court on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which is alleged to be related to the Mambilla Power Project, and is scheduled to stand trial for 12 counts.
After prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, made strong arguments in their favor, the court accepted the extra-judicial statements after Femi Atteh, SAN, the court’s lawyer, who claimed they were coerced, made compelling arguments in their favor.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply