The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have re-arraigned a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Apo, following his alleged complicity in a $6billion contract fraud.
The anti-graft agency had alleged that Agunloye, who served as a Minister between 1999 and 2003, under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had while he was in the position, illegally awarded a contract for the construction of 3,960mw Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis.
It told the court that the contract, which was awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, was done without any budgetary provision, approval and cash backing.
According to the EFCC, the embattled former Minister knowingly disobeyed a presidential directive that was made after a Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting that held on May 21, 2003, by issuing a letter to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, conveying Federal Government’s approval for the contract.
The prosecution, which had accused the defendant of collecting N3. 6million kickback from the company, maintained that forged documents were relied upon to facilitate the contract award.
However, the former Minister pleaded his innocence to the seven-count amended charge that was read to him before trial Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
The prosecution counsel, M.K Hussein subsequently applied for a date to enable the third witness in the matter to continue his testimony.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter till October 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.
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