CBN Manages Project Account On Behalf Of OAGF, Witness Tells Court In Trial Of Ex-Minister

A staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Okoroafor Chinyere, who is also one of the witnesses in the trial of the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, that the apex bank managed the project account on behalf of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).

Okoroafor, a deputy manager, domestic payment division of the bank said this before the court while being led under cross-examination by the defendant counsel, Femi Atte, SAN.

While under cross-examination, she confirmed to the court that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wrote a letter to the bank, demanding for details on the Ministry of Power which the bank granted.

While speaking on the project account with the documents being tendered and admitted as exhibits before the court, Okoroafor confirmed that the bank manages the account on behalf of the accountant general office.

On whether she is familiar with Remita payment process, she answered in the affirmative.

But when asked whether it was possible for the former minister or his office to make approval, she said: “I cannot say”.

“We don’t receive instructions to make payment on Remita, we only get a directive from OAGF,” Okoroafor said.

When asked whether he would be carrying out a re-examination, EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, declined and the witness was subsequently discharged.

An investigator of the EFCC, who is also one of the witnesses called to testify in the matter, Abubakar Gabdo, told the court that the commission had invited the defendant to its office, and he gave a statement.

Mamman is facing a 12-count charge of money laundering preferred against him by the EFCC.