A statement made by Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been presented in court as key evidence in the corruption trial of Dr Olu Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel, accused of fraud in the controversial awarding of the Mambilla Hydropower Project contract.
Dr Agunloye is facing a seven-count indictment brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. Charges include forgery, abuse of office, and receiving illicit payments, relating to a contract issued to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited in 2003, allegedly without legal approval.
At Monday’s court session, the EFCC’s third prosecution witness, Assistant Commissioner Umar Hussein Babangida, told the court that Obasanjo, in a letter dated 27 November 2023, explicitly stated that he did not authorise Agunloye to grant the contract. The letter was addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation, and its Certified True Copy (CTC) was obtained by the Commission from the Ministry of Justice.
“Obasanjo clarified that while Agunloye was told to submit a memorandum to the Federal Executive Council, no contract was approved at the May 21, 2003 meeting,” Babangida said.
The EFCC claims Agunloye unlawfully awarded the contract on 22 May 2003, the day after the FEC meeting, and subsequently received over ₦5 million through bank transfers from companies tied to Leno Adesanya, the promoter of SPTCL.
According to the EFCC, financial records show that Sotirin Jide Abiodun, an aide and associate of Adesanya, made three separate deposits into Agunloye’s Guaranty Trust Bank account in August, October, and November 2019.
Obasanjo’s testimony, also delivered during an interview with EFCC investigators, reinforced the prosecution’s claim that the contract award did not reflect any federal government mandate.
While the defence, represented by Samuel Fagade, objected to the admission of Obasanjo’s statement, no specific reasons were disclosed. The objection will be addressed in closing arguments, the court heard.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie admitted the document on a provisional basis and adjourned the trial until 18 June for further proceedings.
