$6Billion Mambilla Project Trial: Ex-Minister Agunloye Saved Nigeria $900Million, Says EFCC Witness

Court Proceedings Disrupted as Mambilla Trial Continues in Abuja

March 18, 2026 | News

Proceedings at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo District, Abuja, were disrupted on Monday, March 16, 2026, due to ongoing renovation works affecting the FCT Judicial Division.

The presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, was forced to relocate from Court 30 to Court 14 following the disturbances.

Agunloye Faces Charges

A former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, is standing trial on an amended seven-count charge bordering on disobedience to presidential directives, gratification, and forgery.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had directed Agunloye to withdraw the award of the Mambilla Power Project from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, but he failed to comply.

The anti-graft agency further claims that on May 22, 2003, Agunloye disregarded a directive issued by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, approving a contract for the construction of the 3,960MW Mambilla hydroelectric power project.

Court Testimony and Revelations

The trial resumed at about 12:30 p.m. and continued until 3:00 p.m., with the defence concluding its cross-examination of the EFCC’s star witness, Umar Babangida (PW3).

During cross-examination, Babangida made a notable claim that Agunloye’s decision to structure the contract as a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement saved the Federal Government nearly $900 million.

He explained that the agreement limited government equity to not more than 10 percent—significantly lower than the 25 percent earlier accepted under Obasanjo and the 35 percent proposed by a previous minister.

Evidence Discrepancies and Investigation Gaps

Babangida also addressed inconsistencies in documentary evidence presented in court, noting differences between versions of the minutes from the May 21, 2003 FEC meeting.

He admitted that, despite being advised to consult other surviving members of the council, he only interviewed former President Obasanjo during the investigation.

The witness further acknowledged that another prosecution witness did not confirm that certain payments made to Agunloye in 2019 were linked to alleged gratification.

Despite this, Babangida maintained that the funds—paid over 16 years after the contract award—were retroactive bribes tied to the Mambilla project.

He also confirmed that he did not verify claims regarding the defendant’s health challenges or medical expenses cited as reasons for some of the transactions.

Procurement and Legal Context

On procurement procedures, Babangida stated that he could not recall the exact date the Procurement Act was enacted but agreed it came into force in 2007—four years after the Mambilla contract was awarded.

He added that while he was unaware of a Ministerial Tenders Board, he acknowledged the existence of an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the project.

Adjournment

Following the conclusion of cross-examination, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until March 30, 2026, for continuation of the trial.