The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been permitted by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja to modify the charges against Dr Olu Agunloye, the former minister of power, in a case concerning a purported ₦6 billion fraud.
Agunloye’s defence attorney objected, but Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie granted the EFCC’s plea to change the charges.
The charges have been upgraded to include claims of corruption, forgery, and disregard for a presidential directive about the Mambilla power plant project in Taraba State. Dr. Agunloye’s re-arraignment is set for February 3, 2025.
According to the EFCC, Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited was given a contract named “Construction of 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on Build, Operate and Transfer Basis” by Agunloye on May 22, 2003, without any financial support, approval, or budgetary provisions.
The commission further asserts that it has connected accounts linked to Agunloye to questionable payments made by Sunrise Power. Agunloye entered a not-guilty plea to the accusations.
When EFCC attorney Abba Mohammed first attempted to change the charges in July 2024, defence attorney Adeola Adedipe resisted, claiming that official court clearance was required first. After weighing both sides’ legal grounds, Justice Onwuegbuzie supported the prosecution.
