By Miriam Humbe
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, February 3, 2024 re-arraigned a former Minister of Power and Steel Development, Olu Agunloye on seven-count amended charges bordering on fraudulent award of contract and official corruption.
Agunloye was arraigned before Justice J.O Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja.
The re-arraignment was sequel to the amendment of the earlier charges dated January 10, 2024
Count one read “That you, Olu Agunloye, whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel on or about the 22nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court awarded a contract titled “CONSTRUCTION OF 3,960MW MÅMBILLÅ HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATION ON BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER BASIS” to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited without any budgetary provision, approval and cash backing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(4) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Count two reads “That you, Olu Agunloye, whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel on or about the 22nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourabte Court knowingly disobeyed the directive of the President made at the Federal Executive Council meeting of the 21 st May, 2003 directed at you pursuant to the President’s powers under Section 5(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (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.
Count four reads: “That you, Olu Agunloye (former 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) made a false document tiled “CONSTRUCTION OF 3,960MW MÅMBILLÅ HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATION ON BUILD, OPERATE TRANSFER BASIS” and dated the 22nd of May, 2003 and thereby committed forgery contrary to and punishable under Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.
He pleaded not guilty to the respective charges when read to him.
Adewale Agunbiade, a prosecuting witness, PW2 and a Compliance Officer, formerly with Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB, but now with Jaiz Bank Plc was cross examined by defense counsel Adeola Adedipe, SAN.
The matter was adjourned to February 24, 2025 for continuation of trial.
