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Fraud

Former Minister Accuses Lawyer of Misrepresenting Him in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Case

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, accused his lawyer of misrepresenting him during the recording of his statements at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while testifying as the first defence witness in a trial-within-trial aimed at determining the voluntariness of the statements obtained during his investigation by the EFCC. Mamman made the allegations on Wednesday, claiming that portions of the statement were fabricated without his knowledge. He alleged that his lawyer, Femi Atteh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), misrepresented him, and that he could not confirm whether the lawyer wrote exactly what he dictated.

Key Takeaways:

  • Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power, accused his lawyer, Femi Atteh, of misrepresenting him during the recording of his statements at the EFCC.
  • Mamman claimed that portions of the statement were fabricated without his knowledge and that he could not confirm whether the lawyer wrote exactly what he dictated.
  • The EFCC is prosecuting Mamman on 12 counts of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N33.8 billion.
  • Mamman visited the EFCC with his lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed of Pineal Solicitors, on February 20, due to his ill health, and authorized Ahmed to write the statement on his behalf.
  • The court admitted the written authorization form as an exhibit.
  • EFCC investigator Abubakar Kwaido testified that Mamman's statements were voluntarily made in the presence of his lawyers or associates.
  • Kwaido identified the lawyers and associates who were present during various statement recording sessions, including P.A. Aderungi, P. A. Adewuyi, Aliyu Musa, Muzzarril Yahaya, Umar Yunusa, Paul Adetako, Suleiman Yusuf, and Rabiu.
  • Mamman initially failed to honour invitations by the EFCC for about six months before eventually reappearing in February.

Statistics:

  • N33.8 billion: The amount involved in the alleged conspiracy and money laundering charges against Saleh Mamman.
  • 12 counts: The number of charges against Mamman, including conspiracy and money laundering.
  • N26 billion: The amount allegedly diverted under Mamman's instruction using Bureau de Change operators.
  • 5 transactions: The number of suspicious transactions confirmed through various corporate accounts, including Breathable Investment, Fullest Utility Concepts, and Golden Bond Nigeria Ltd.
  • 10 months: The duration for which Mamman initially failed to honour invitations by the EFCC before reappearing in February.
  • N26 billion: The amount allegedly diverted using Bureau de Change operators.
  • 15th prosecution witness: Okoafor Nnenna, a deputy manager in the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Domestic Payments Unit.
  • 16th witness: Veronica Sampam, a compliance officer at First Bank.

Sources:

  • "Former Minister Accuses Lawyer of Misrepresenting Him in EFCC Case" - Premium Times
  • "EFCC Arrests Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, for Money Laundering" - Premium Times
  • "Mohammed Sabo Nanono Sacked As Minister of Agriculture" - Premium Times

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