Eric Patrick
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, re-arraigned a former Minister of Power and Steel Development, Olu Agunloye, before Justice J.O Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja.
Agunloye was re-arraigned on seven-count amended charges bordering on fraudulent award of contract and official corruption.
The EFCC made this Known in a statement shared on its X.com handle on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Agunloye’s re-arraignment was sequel to the amendment of the earlier charges on January 10, 2024.
The count charge read, “That you, Olu Agunloye, whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel on or about the 22nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court awarded a contract titled “Construction Of 3,96MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station On Build, Operate And Transfer Basis” to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited without any budgetary provision, approval and cash backing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(4) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Agunloye pleaded not guilty to the respective charges when read to him.
Adewale Agunbiade, a prosecuting witness, PW2 and a Compliance Officer, formerly with Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB, but now with Jaiz Bank Plc was cross-examined by defense counsel Adeola Adedipe, SAN.
The matter was adjourned to February 24, 2025 for continuation of trial.
Olu Agunloye is a Nigerian politician who is former Minister of Power and Steel and former Minister of State for Defence (Navy).
In 2016 he joined the Social Democratic Party and became a candidate for Governor of Ondo State.
Agunloye has previously been a member of the People’s Democratic Party and the Action Congress of Nigeria.