Shocking Revelations: Ex-Minister Spends N20 Million of Mambilla Hydro Funds on One-Year Hotel Stay

By: Achimi Muktar

In a bombshell revelation at the Federal High Court in Abuja, a prosecution witness has detailed how former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, allegedly diverted a staggering N20 million from funds meant for the Mambilla Hydro Power project to pay for a year-long stay in a luxury resort.

The eye-opening testimony was delivered on Wednesday during the ongoing trial of Mamman, who is facing charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the alleged mismanagement of N33.8 billion in public funds. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is leading the prosecution of Mamman, who served as Minister of Power until his dismissal in September 2021.

The witness, Adebisi Adesanya, a retired colonel and the owner of Sami Court Resort Limited, where Mamman allegedly lodged, told the court that the former minister paid N20 million for a one-bedroom rental at the resort between August 30, 2019, and August 2020.

He described Sami Court Resort as a service apartment designed for long-term stays, with the facilities and services provided for guests during their stay. According to Adesanya, the invoices for the payment of the accommodation, totaling N20 million, were issued after Mamman made payments between September 2021 and May 2022, through various companies linked to him, including Golden Bond Nigeria Limited and Mintedge Nigeria Limited.

The witness outlined several transactions, all of which involved large payments made to the resort’s United Bank for Africa (UBA) account. These payments, which included deposits of N5 million, N2.5 million, and N7.5 million, were all for the one-bedroom rental over the 12-month period. Adesanya confirmed that the documents presented in court were the resort’s invoices for the N20 million payment Mamman made for lodging.

Mamman’s lavish hotel stay comes under scrutiny amid growing public outrage over the diversion of public funds. The Mambilla Hydro Power project, for which the funds were intended, is a critical national infrastructure project meant to boost Nigeria’s energy capacity.

The revelations have sparked outrage among Nigerians, with many questioning how such funds, earmarked for a vital national project, were instead used for luxury living.

The trial, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, continued with the defense team cross-examining the third prosecution witness. The case has already drawn considerable public attention, especially given Mamman’s sudden dismissal from the cabinet in September 2021, just two years into his tenure. Speculation had swirled that his removal was tied to serious allegations of mismanagement, and these new revelations appear to validate those concerns.

As the trial unfolds, the public remains on edge, awaiting further details on the alleged financial mismanagement and the fate of the Mambilla Hydro Power project, which has yet to be completed despite years of planning.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until January 2025, setting the stage for further revelations as the prosecution continues to build its case against the former minister.

The scandal has once again raised questions about accountability and transparency in the Nigerian government, with citizens demanding answers on how public funds are being handled and whether those responsible for such flagrant misuse will be held accountable.