The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday tendered a statement made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo, in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye.
Dr. Agunloye is standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on forgery, disobedience to presidential directives, and gratification in connection with the controversial Mambilla Hydropower Project contract award.
The charges, filed under case number FCT/HC/CR/617/2023, allege that Agunloye, on May 22, 2003, unlawfully awarded the Mambilla project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) without budgetary provision, due approval, or financial backing. The EFCC further accuses him of receiving N5.2 million in gratification through a third party from SPTCL while in office.
Agunloye has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During Monday’s proceedings, Umar Hussein Babangida, an Assistant Commissioner of Police seconded to the EFCC and the third prosecution witness (PW3), told the court that Obasanjo provided a written statement dated November 27, 2023, to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, detailing events surrounding the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of May 21, 2003.
According to Babangida, the EFCC obtained a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the letter from the Federal Ministry of Justice, which was subsequently submitted as evidence. In the document, Obasanjo clarified that while he directed the then Minister of Power to present a memo to the FEC for deliberation, no approval was granted either by him or by the FEC to award the contract to SPTCL.
“We interviewed the former president, and he made a formal statement,” Babangida told the court. “In the course of that interview, Obasanjo told us clearly that he never gave approval for the contract award to SPTCL.”
The prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed (SAN), tendered Obasanjo’s statement as an exhibit. The defense counsel, Samuel Fagade, representing Adeola Adedipe (SAN), objected to the document but did not state specific grounds. He informed the court that the objection would be addressed during final written arguments. The court temporarily admitted the statement as an exhibit.
Babangida further stated that Obasanjo informed investigators the minister had been instructed to withdraw his memo from FEC discussions and that the May 22, 2003 letter issued by Agunloye in favor of SPTCL did not represent the Federal Government.
The witness also testified that financial investigations revealed Agunloye maintained multiple bank accounts, including one with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), through which he allegedly received payments linked to the contract.
One Sotirin Jide Abiodun, a personal assistant to Leno Adesanya, the promoter of SPTCL, transferred funds totaling N5.2 million to Agunloye’s account between August and November 2019, according to EFCC findings. Abiodun was described as a director in Sunrise Power and a staff member of several companies associated with Adesanya.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to June 18 for continuation of hearing.
