Atoyebi Nike
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel Development, Dr. Olu Agunloye, told a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo on Monday that no approval was granted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo or the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the controversial $6 billion Mambilla Hydropower Project contract awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
Testifying before Justice J.O. Onwuegbuzie, Umar Babangida, the third prosecution witness and an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that President Obasanjo neither authorized nor endorsed the contract award in 2003.
“The former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, confirmed in a letter dated November 27, 2023, to the Attorney General that he did not give approval to the then Minister to award the contract to Sunrise Power,” Babangida testified.
He stated that FEC meeting minutes and further interviews with Obasanjo showed that Agunloye was explicitly directed to withdraw his memorandum and open the contract to competitive bidding. Instead, 24 hours after the directive, Agunloye allegedly went ahead to award the contract to Sunrise Power on May 22, 2003.
“The contract was awarded without FEC approval and against a clear presidential instruction,” Babangida said.
Financial Transactions Raise Further Questions
The EFCC witness also detailed suspicious financial transfers linked to the defendant. According to him, investigators discovered multiple bank transactions involving Shotire Jide Abiodun, an associate of Leno Adesanya, owner of Sunrise Power.
“On August 10, 2019, the defendant received ₦3.6 million from Shotire Jide Abiodun. He also received ₦500,000 on October 22, 2019, and ₦1.12 million on November 13, 2019,” Babangida told the court.
He said Abiodun serves as a director in Sunrise Power and as personal assistant to Adesanya.
Agunloye is currently facing a seven-count charge bordering on fraudulent contract award and official corruption involving $6 billion. The EFCC alleges that he used his ministerial position to benefit a private company without lawful approval. The trial was adjourned to June 18, 2025, for continuation.
