The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday re-arraigned a former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on alleged infractions committee in the award of contract for construction of 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station in Taraba State.
The anti-graft agency re-arraigned the former Minister who has been standing trial before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, sitting at Apo, Abuja, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on forgery, disobeying presidential directive and gratification.
EFCC alleged in the charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/617/2023, that Agunloye awarded a contract for the Mambilla project on May 22, 2003, to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited without any budgetary provision, approval and cash backing.
The commission also, among others alleged that the former minister received the total sum of N5.212million from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) and Leno Adesanya, through Jide Abiodun Sotinrin through Agunloye’s Guaranty Trust Bank account, for conveying the Federal Government’s approval for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station in favour of SPTCL while serving as minister.
The former minister pleaded not guilty to a seven-count amended charge when read to him in the court.
Meanwhile, the second prosecution witness in the case (PW2), Adewale Agunbiade, a Compliance Officer with GT Bank but now with Jaiz Bank Plc, while being cross-examined by counsel for Agunloye, Adeola Adedipe SAN, told the court that he had no letter from GT Bank to Jaiz Bank to allow him to testify in the matter.
He added that there was no letter from Jaiz Bank permitting him to testify, while EFCC did not issue him with a witness summoned to testify in the case.
After the cross-examination of the witness, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned further hearing in the case to February 24.
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