How funds were moved into my coy accounts, BDC operator

 A Bureau de Change (BDC) Operator, Abdullahi Suleiman on Tuesday, told a Federal High Court in Abuja how funds were paid into his companies’ bank accounts before and after the tenure of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman.

Suleiman told Justice James Omotosho while being cross examined by ex-minister’s lawyer, Femi Ate, SAN, in the alleged money laundering charge.

Freedomonline  reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred a 12-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024 bordering on money laundering to the time of N33.8 billion against Mamman.

Mamman served as Minister of Power from August 2019 to September 2021.

The BDC Operator said that the narration of funds paid into his accounts did not indicate they came from the ministry.

Suleiman admitted that the funds contained in the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF)’s entries were paid into his companies’ accounts.

Giving the breakdown, the witness said Fullest Utility Concept received N254 million and N49.6 million on May 9, 2018; N659.9 million received on Jan. 16, 2019 and N407 million on July 20, 2019.

He said Platinum Touch Enterprise Ltd received N849 million on Oct. 21, 2021; N86.5 million, 86.9 million and N97 million on Oct. 29, 2021 in tranches.

He said Silverline Ocean Ventures received N90 million on Feb. 24, 2022, and N82 million and N90 million on March 30, 2022.

The witness equally said that Bureau Change received N90 million and N92 million on March 30, 2022; while Royal Promoter Venture received N85 million.

Suleiman stated that he knew the money he received in 2023, while the EFCC were still investigating the matter, came from Mustapha Abubakar Bida through Maina Goje, who was also questioned by the anti-graft agency.

He said some funds were returned to the EFCC both in naira and dollars.

“I received money before and after the minister’s appointment and departure. Maina Goje did not tell me why he said I should make payment to the EFCC,” he said.

However, during re-examination by EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Suleiman admitted that when the EFCC invited him to their office, they informed him that the funds came from the Ministry of Power.

Another witness, Misbahu Idris from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Abuja also testified how he ran errands for Goje on the ex-minister’s instructions.