EFCC Secures Court Nod To Revise ₦6 Billion Fraud Charges Against Former Power Minister Agunloye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received court approval to revise its charges against former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye.

Agunloye is being prosecuted by the EFCC in relation to a case (FCT/HC/CR/617/2023) involving seven counts, which include charges of forgery, noncompliance with a presidential directive, and corruption linked to the Mambilla power project in Taraba State.

The EFCC alleges that Agunloye awarded a contract for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station, a 3,960-megawatt project, to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited on May 22, 2003, without proper budget allocation, approval, or financial backing. The commission also claims to have uncovered questionable payments made by Sunrise Power to the former minister’s accounts during his time in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Agunloye has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In response to Agunloye’s objections regarding the prosecution’s amended charges filed on June 25, 2024, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court ruled on January 23, granting the EFCC permission to amend the charges. After reviewing the affidavit supporting the motion for the amendment, the judge determined that the changes were warranted.

The judge further explained that the prosecution is permitted to amend charges or introduce new ones before a judgment is delivered, in accordance with Sections 216 and 217 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. Justice Onwuegbuzie clarified that the amendment was not intended to disadvantage Agunloye, as the defendant had alleged.

A hearing has been scheduled for February 3, 2025, for the defendant’s rearraignment based on the amended charges. On November 13, 2024, Agunloye’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe SAN, presented a written argument opposing the amendment, claiming that the prosecution’s actions were an overreach.