Matilda Omonaiye/
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, Apo, Abuja.
Agunloye was docked on an amended seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of the controversial $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract.
In one of the counts, the EFCC accused Agunloye of disobeying a presidential directive during a Federal Executive Council meeting on May 21, 2003. The prosecution alleged that despite the directive, he signed a letter on May 2, 2003, conveying government approval to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited to construct the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Power Station.
Another count alleged that Agunloye, in collaboration with Leno Adesanya of Sunrise Power (currently at large), with intent to mislead the Federal Government, presented a false document titled “Construction of 3,960mw Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis” dated May 22, 2003.
The EFCC maintained that the actions contravened Sections 123, 364, and 366 of the Penal Code Law.
Agunloye pleaded not guilty to all seven charges. Following his plea, EFCC counsel, M.K. Hussein, urged the court to fix a date for continuation of the testimony of the third prosecution witness.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request and adjourned proceedings until October 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.
The amended charges are part of ongoing investigations into the multi-billion-dollar Mambilla project, a scheme that has remained stalled for decades despite repeated government interventions.
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