Abuja, Nigeria – Na serious matter dey unfold for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court as dem dey hear the case wey concern former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye. On Monday, the third prosecution witness, Umar Babangida, wey be EFCC investigator, don talk say former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Federal Executive Council (FEC) no approve the wahala $6 billion contract wey Agunloye award to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited for Mambilla Hydropower Project.
As Babangida dey testify before Justice J.O. Onwuegbuzie, e make am clear say Obasanjo don write letter and also talk for meeting say e no authorize Agunloye to carry out the contract. According to wetin EFCC media guy, Dele Oyewale, tweet, Babangida show court letter wey Obasanjo write on November 27, 2023, wey confirm say no approval dey for that contract. “Obasanjo talk say him just receive memo from Agunloye and only minuted on top, tell am make e bring am come FEC for discussion. But him no approve am at all,” Babangida clarify.
Further gists wey Babangida drop during testimony na say for February 7, 2024, meeting with EFCC investigators, Obasanjo still stand by him statement, come submit signed paper say the contract wey dem award on May 22, 2003, no pass through him hand or FEC hand. “Obasanjo explain say dem tell Agunloye make e withdraw him memo and throw the project open for competitive bidding. But just 24 hours after that order, my guy still go ahead give contract to Sunrise Power,” Babangida yan.
Na so Agunloye dey face seven-count charge from EFCC because of alleged fraudulent contract award and official corruption wey dem link to the Mambilla Power Project deal. Babangida come talk say dem detect suspicious payments wey Agunloye receive from Shotire Jide Abiodun, wey be director for Sunrise Power and personal assistant to Leno Laitan Adesanya, wey be owner of the company. “We carry out transaction investigation and find say on August 10, 2019, Agunloye receive ₦3.6 million from Abiodun. Dem still send another ₦500,000 on October 22, 2019, and ₦1.1 million on November 13, 2019 – all na from the same person,” Babangida talk.
When dem cross-examine Babangida for court, prosecution lawyer Abba Muhammed dey ask am sharp, and he confirm say these transactions raise red flags, wey fit tie Agunloye to the contract scandal directly. Na thus the trial don adjourn till June 18, 2025, for continuation. World don dey watch as dis drama unfold.
