Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned former minister of power and steel Olu Agunloye over alleged infractions in the award of contract for the Mambila Hydroelectric Power Station in Taraba State.
Mr Agunloye was brought before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on disobedience to presidential directive, conspiracy, forgery and receiving gratification.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel M.K. Hussain, holding brief for Abba Muhammed, told the court that although the matter was slated for cross-examination of the third prosecution witness (PW3), the prosecution had filed a second amended charge.
He urged the court to take the defendant’s plea.
Counsel to Agunloye, Adeola Adedipe, did not oppose the request.
The charges were read to the defendant and he pleaded not guilty.
In the amended charge marked FCT/HC/CR/617/2023, EFCC alleged that on May 22, 2003, Agunloye disobeyed a presidential directive issued at the Federal Executive Council meeting of May 21, 2003, by signing a letter to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) conveying government approval for the construction of the 3,960-megawatt Mambila Hydroelectric Power Station.
The commission also alleged that on the same date, he conspired with SPTCL’s Leno Adesanya, said to be at large, to forge a letter titled “Construction of 3,960 megawatts Mambila Hydroelectric Power Station on a build, operate and transfer basis.”
EFCC further alleged that in 2019, Agunloye received N5.212 million in different tranches from SPTCL and Adesanya, through Jide Abiodun Sotirin into his Guaranty Trust Bank account, in connection with the project.
Olu Agunloye denied the allegations.
Following his plea, Hussain informed the court that PW3, Umar Babangida, was absent and asked for the earlier dates of September 22 and 25 fixed for hearing to be vacated.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until October 9 for cross-examination of the witness.