The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday re-arraigned former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo over allegations of fraud relating to the ₦6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station contract.
The EFCC amended the charges against Agunloye, filing seven counts that include forgery, disobedience of a presidential directive, and gratification.
The anti-graft agency alleged that on May 22, 2003, while serving as minister, Agunloye awarded the contract for the 3,960MW Mambilla Power Project to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) without budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.
The EFCC further claimed that Agunloye received ₦5.212 million from SPTCL and Leno Adesanya, through Jide Abiodun Sotinrin, as a reward for securing federal government approval for the project.
Agunloye pleaded not guilty to the amended seven-count charge when it was read to him in court.
During the hearing, Adewale Agunbiade, a former Compliance Officer with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and now with Jaiz Bank Plc, testified as the second prosecution witness (PW2).
Under cross-examination by Agunloye’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Agunbiade admitted that:
•He did not receive authorization from Jaiz Bank to testify.
•The EFCC did not issue him a witness summons.
•When he informed EFCC operatives that he no longer worked for GTBank, they insisted that he had already prepared documents for the court proceedings.
When asked if he had presented his work ID to confirm his employment at Jaiz Bank, PW2 admitted he had not.
Following the testimony, Justice Jude Onwugbuese adjourned the hearing until February 24 for further proceedings.
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