“EFCC Re-arraigns Former Minister Agunloye Over Alleged $6bn Mambilla Power Project Fraud”
EFCC Re-arraigns Ex-Minister Agunloye Over Alleged $6bn Mambilla Power Project Fraud
September 18, 2025.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, over alleged fraud linked to the $6 billion Mambilla Hydropower Project.
Mr. Agunloye appeared before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, Abuja, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on forgery, gratification, and disobedience to presidential directives.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
This marks the second amendment of the charges since his first arraignment in January 2024. The EFCC had earlier amended the charges in February 2024, leading to a fresh plea at the time.
Proceedings
At Thursday’s session, EFCC’s counsel, M.K. Hussain, informed the court of the newly filed amended charges and requested that they be read to the defendant.
The defence team, led by Adeola Adedipe (SAN), did not object.
According to the EFCC, Mr. Agunloye disobeyed a directive issued by the Federal Executive Council in 2003 under then-President Olusegun Obasanjo by signing a letter to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited. The letter allegedly conveyed government approval for the construction of the 3,960MW Mambilla Hydropower Station.
The agency also accused him of conspiring with Leno Adesanya—said to be at large—to falsify a document titled “Construction of 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis”.
Further allegations include the receipt of over N5 million in gratification from Sunrise Power and its promoter, Mr. Adesanya.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until October 9 for continuation of trial.
State of the Case
Thursday’s sitting had originally been slated for the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness, who was absent. The re-arraignment does not reset the trial since it remains before the same judge.
In June 2024, Adebayo Ilori, a compliance officer at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), testified that Jude Sotirin, a staff member of Sunrise Power, transferred a total of N5 million to Mr. Agunloye.
Another witness, Adewale Agunbiade, a former bank compliance officer, could not testify after stating that he lacked his current employer’s clearance to appear in court.
Background
The Mambilla project, designed to generate 3,960MW of electricity, was first awarded in 2003 on a build, operate, and transfer model. The project has since been entangled in legal disputes, including international arbitration between Nigeria and Sunrise Power.
In 2023, former President Obasanjo accused Mr. Agunloye of fraudulently awarding the contract without approval. The ex-minister denied the allegation, insisting he was being made a scapegoat.
In December 2023, the EFCC declared him wanted, after which he voluntarily surrendered for questioning. He later filed a lawsuit against the agency alleging abuse of his rights, but in March 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his case.