The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented fresh evidence in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, over the alleged fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract. The development was disclosed on Monday during proceedings before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja.
Agunloye is facing an amended seven-count charge related to official corruption and the improper award of the contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited. The anti-graft agency announced the latest development in a statement posted on its official X handle.
Fifth Prosecution Witness Testifies
The fifth prosecution witness, Iliya John Iyakwari, an Assistant Director of Legal in the Federal Ministry of Justice currently serving as Assistant Legal Adviser in the Federal Ministry of Power, testified before the court. He was led in evidence by prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN.
Iyakwari informed the court that he certified an extract of the minutes of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on May 21, 2003, following a request from the EFCC. According to the witness, the commission sent a letter to the Ministry of Power in June 2023 seeking the certified extract of the FEC meeting.
How the Evidence Was Obtained
The witness explained that the request was addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, who forwarded it to the Legal Services Department for necessary action. “The Permanent Secretary forwarded the letter to the Legal Services Department, requesting the information contained in the letter. The legal department then wrote to the department responsible for keeping such records to provide the extract. They forwarded a copy of the extract, after which my Legal Adviser directed me to certify it. I thereafter forwarded the certified copy of the extract to the EFCC using the ministry’s official letterhead,” Iyakwari told the court.
During the proceedings, the witness identified and confirmed the authenticity of the EFCC’s request letter and the ministry’s response. The documents were admitted and marked as Exhibits EFCC 3J and EFCC 3K, respectively.
Trial Adjourned for Cross-Examination
Following the testimony, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until June 8, 2026, for the cross-examination of the witness. The trial is part of the EFCC’s prosecution of Agunloye over allegations linked to the award of the Mambilla Power Project contract, one of Nigeria’s largest hydroelectric power initiatives.
