The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, re-arraigned Olu Agunloye, former Minister of Power and Steel before Jude Onwuegbuzie, Justice of the Federal High Court, Apo, Abuja, on fresh charges bordering on alleged fraud in the controversial Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
Agunloye, who served as minister during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is facing an amended seven-count charge brought by the EFCC.
The charges revolve around allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and the fraudulent award of the $6 billion (about ₦9.8 trillion) Mambilla power contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
According to the amended charge, the former minister is accused of knowingly disobeying a Presidential directive issued during a Federal Executive Council meeting on May 21, 2003.
The EFCC alleged that two days later, on May 23, 2003, Agunloye wrote a letter to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company, purporting to grant Government approval for the construction of the 3,960 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station, despite lacking authorisation.
One of the counts also links Agunloye with Leno Adesanya, identified as being “at large” and connected to Sunrise Power.
The EFCC alleged that both men used a false document entitled “Construction of 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis” to mislead the Federal Republic of Nigeria into committing to the multibillion-dollar contract.
The prosecution insists the alleged offences contravene sections of the Penal Code relating to fraud, false documents, and abuse of office, and are punishable under Nigerian law.
According to a statement by the EFCC, when the charges were read, Agunloye pleaded not guilty to all counts.
EFCC counsel, M.K. Hussein, thereafter requested a date for continuation of the testimony of the third prosecuting witness, who had earlier taken the stand before the court.
In his ruling, Onwuegbuzie adjourned proceedings until October 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.
