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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, continued yesterday, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, Abuja, with more revelations unfolding on the alleged $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract scandal.
During the hearing before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, the third prosecution witness (PW3), Umar Hussein Babangida, told the court that the former minister disregarded a directive and resolution of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting held on May 21, 2003, when he went ahead to award the contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
According to Babangida, the FEC meeting, which was presided over by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, had resolved that the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract should not be awarded to Sunrise Power.
Despite this resolution and a clear directive to that effect, the witness told the court that Agunloye proceeded to issue an approval letter to the company, granting it the $6 billion contract.
“The Federal Executive Council, presided over by the then President, resolved that the contract should not be awarded to Sunrise Power and directed the Minister not to proceed with it.
“However, the defendant disregarded this directive and went ahead to issue an approval letter to the company,” Babangida testified.
Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, the witness maintained his position, insisting that the former minister acted contrary to the FEC resolution and the President’s directive.
Agunloye is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on an amended seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of a contract for the construction of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station, valued at $6 billion (Six Billion US Dollars).
One of the charges reads, “That you, Olu Agunloye, whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel on or about May 2, 2003, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly disobeyed the directive of the President made in the FEC meeting of May 21, 2003, directed at you pursuant to the President’s 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-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law.”
The former minister has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, paving the way for full trial.
After listening to the testimony of the third prosecution witness, Justice Onwuegbuzie, adjourned the matter to November 3, 10, 12, and December 1, 2025, for continuation of trial.
