By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences.

A source within the anti-graft agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, disclosed on Wednesday that Abdullahi was arrested in Abuja and is currently in the custody of the commission.

According to the source, the alleged fraud involves funds estimated at N500bn.

“We have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for money laundering offences. He was arrested and is currently in our custody. The money is to the tune of N500bn,” the official said.

Efforts to get confirmation from the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

President Bola Tinubu had on October 24, 2023 appointed Abdullahi as Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

Ambassador Adesuwa, Convener of the Sabon Gari Women and Youths Special Citizens Support Group for AKY Go Again and Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria, has led a major grassroots enlightenment campaign in Sabon Gari Market to mobilize support for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration.

The outreach, fully sponsored by Ambassador Adesuwa Udo, targeted traders and market women across the Sabon Gari community.

During the rally participants received empowerment packages, cash support, and 300 branded apron jackets featuring the images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo, First Lady Remi Tinubu, alongside the APC logo and the group’s insignia.

Two individuals were also empowered with startup capital to begin their businesses, underscoring the initiative’s commitment to grassroots development.

Speaking during the rally, Ambassador Adesuwa noted that the campaign was rooted in showcasing Governor Yusuf’s impressive record in governance. “Kano is enjoying peace under his administration. Civil servants now receive salaries before the end of the month, and the capital projects I have seen here are impressive compared to many other states. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has written his name in gold, and Kano citizens need to support him and give him maximum cooperation,” she said.

She recalled that Kano had previously experienced unrest and riots, but under Governor Yusuf’s leadership, the state has enjoyed stability, infrastructural growth, and improved welfare for civil servants.

The campaign, she noted, was designed to enlighten citizens on the importance of sustaining this progress by rallying behind the governor.

Ambassador Adesuwa reiterated that service to humanity remains her guiding principle, and her passion for community development drives her support for Governor Yusuf’s progressive leadership. “Together, we can build a better Kano. Together, we can build a stronger Nigeria,” she affirmed.

Traders and community members at Sabon Gari Market echoed her sentiments, expressing their appreciation for Governor Yusuf’s leadership. Many acknowledged his impressive performance in governance, citing the restoration of peace, timely payment of salaries, and visible infrastructural development across the state.

They pledged their continued support for his administration, noting that his policies have brought stability and progress to Kano.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts amended charge, bordering on money laundering, filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Despite Mamman’s absence in court, Justice James Omotosho held that the EFCC proved its case against the former minister beyond a reasonable doubt and consequently found him guilty on all the counts.

Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari between August 2019 and September 2021, was prosecuted over alleged diversion and laundering of funds linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

The anti-graft agency accused him of conspiring with officials and private companies to divert public funds meant for power sector projects.

Justice Omotosho said he was satisfied with the evidence led by the prosecution before convicting Mamman on all the charges.

Justice Omotosho described the prosecution’s case as overwhelming and the defence as almost non-existent.

“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant. The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” he held.

The court heard that most of the diverted funds were funnelled through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currencies before handing it over to Mamman.

The judge also took a swipe at the former minister’s tenure, lamenting that a man who held the nation’s power sector in his hands showed no interest in leaving a meaningful legacy.

“Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” Justice Omotosho added.

The conviction was handed down in Mamman’s absence, forcing the court to defer sentencing. The EFCC immediately applied for a warrant of arrest.

His lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that the defendant’s whereabouts had been unknown since last Tuesday when notice of the scheduled judgment was issued, adding that his personal assistant later claimed he was sick.

Ahmed’s bid to persuade the court to adjourn the judgment failed.

The trial judge, however, was unconvinced, referencing news reports showing that Mamman had recently been involved in political activities, including purchasing a form to contest the governorship election in Taraba State.

EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to proceed, dismissing any justification for the defendant’s absence.

“My Lord should go ahead. If the judgment is in his favour, we know what to do. If it is against him, we also know what to do,” he said.

Mamman was first arrested in 2021, approximately four months after ex-President Buhari removed him from office.

The EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case, alleging that he conspired with ministry staff to divert about ₦22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

Investigations, the agency said, revealed that the funds were used to acquire choice assets both within and outside the country.