EFCC re-arraigns ex-minister over $6billion Mambilla power project fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja.

Agunloye was re-arraigned on an amended seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and the fraudulent award of a contract for the $6 billion Mambilla power project.

One of the counts 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 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 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 123 of the penal code law.”

Another count reads: “That you, Olu Agunloye whilst being the minister of power and steel and Leno Adesanya (at large) of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, on or about the 22nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to cause the federal republic of Nigeria (FRN) to enter into a contract with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) used as genuine, a false document titled, ‘Construction of 3,960mw Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis,’ dated the 22nd of May, 2003, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 366 and punishable under section 364 of the penal code.”

Agunloye pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

After his plea, M.K. Hussein, counsel to the EFCC, asked the court for a date to continue the testimony of the third prosecution witness.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter till October 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.