An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Chike Nwibe, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court, Abuja that a former Works Minister, Hassan Lawal, misappropriated N6.4bn for Brutu and Bagana bridges contracts.
The EFCC, on May 11, 2011, had arraigned Lawal, alongside 14 others, for alleged fraudulent award of contracts, money laundering and embezzlement of funds for projects in Kogi and Nasarawa states.
Lawal is standing trial on charges of N24.3bn contract scam.
Charged with him are Adeogba Ademola, Digital Toll Company Ltd; Swede Control Interlink Ltd; Proman Vital Ventures Ltd; Nairda Ltd; Siraj Nigeria Ltd; and Wise Health Services Ltd.
Others are Dave Enejoh, Okala Yakubu, Thahal Paul, George Elzogbi, Abbey Ayodele and GIS Transport Ltd.
Nwibe, during cross-examination, said an investigation carried out by the EFCC showed that N6.4bn was the actual figure received by the contractors of the N24.3bn contract sum.
He alleged that of the figure, Lawal authorised the payment of N3bn in 2009.
He said, “I do not think it is correct to say that payment of over N4.5bn was made before 2009 when Lawal became a minister.
“We went on-the-spot assessment of the contract site and found that the extent of work was not commensurate with the amount paid.
“The work done was about 30 per cent of the sum collected. The assessment was based on our projection and according to experts.”
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