The trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye continued on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Cout, Apo, Abuja
Giving testimony before the court presided over by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, the third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Umar Hussein Babangida informed the court that the defendant disregarded the directive and resolution of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting of May 21, 2003 by awarding the Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion US Dollars).
Responding under cross-examination by the defendant’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, the witness disclosed that the FEC meeting, presided over by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo had resolved that the defendant should not award the contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited and directed him accordingly not to do so, but he disregarded the resolution and the directive and proceeded to award the contract to the company.
Agunloye is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on amended seven-count charges, bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion US Dollars).
One of the charges reads: “That you, Olu Agunloye, whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel on or about the 2nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly disobeyed the directive of the President, made in the Federal Executive Council meeting of 21st May 2003, directed at you pursuant to the Presidents’ powers under Section 5(1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) when you signed a letter addressed to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, conveying the approval of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the construction of the 3,960 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law.”
He pleaded ‘not guilty” to the charges, thus setting the stage for his trial.
Justice Onwuegbuzie, after listening to the testimony of PW3, adjourned the matter till November 3, 10, 12 and December 1, 2025 for continuation of trial.
