$6bn Mambilla Project: Ex-Power Minister Agunloye Objects To EFCC’s Move To Prosecute Him

Former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, has filed a preliminary objection against a $6bn Mambilla hydropower contract scam case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.

Agunloye, who served as power minister between 1999 and 2003 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was arraigned over his alleged involvement in the failed $6 billion power project.

The EFCC accused him of illegally awarding a contract for a 3,960 MW Mambilla hydroelectric power station to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited without proper budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.

But following his arraignment, the ex-minister pleaded not guilty to the charges, denying receiving a corrupt kickback of N3.6m from the company to which he awarded the contract.

At the resumption of proceedings on Monday, Agunloye’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, asked the court to uphold his preliminary objection and prohibit the EFCC from prosecuting him based on the charges.

“These allegations do not constitute financial crimes, which can be lawfully investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC, pursuant to its powers under Sections 6, 7, and 46 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act and in consonance with the Supreme Court’s decision in Nwobike v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2022) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1826) 293,” he said.

But the trial judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie held that the preliminary objection was not ripe for hearing.

The court subsequently adjourned the case till February 26, 2024.