The EFCC trial of former Power Minister Olu Agunloye continued in Abuja as a key witness denied the existence of an alternative Federal Executive Council extract in the Mambilla project case
Agunloye Trial Intensifies as Witness Denies Existence of Different FEC Extract
The trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, continued on Thursday, June 18, 2026, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, with the Sixth Prosecution Witness, Iliya John Iyakwari, denying the existence of any Federal Executive Council extract different from the one already presented in evidence.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, the witness insisted that there is no alternative record of the Federal Executive Council meeting of May 21, 2003, apart from the document marked Exhibit EFCC 3K, which he certified and which had earlier been tendered by the prosecution.
The former Minister is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on an amended seven-count charge bordering on alleged official corruption and the fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract valued at $6 billion to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.
During further cross-examination, defence counsel sought to confront the witness with Exhibit EFCC 3D, prompting an objection from prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, who argued that the witness could not be cross-examined on a document he did not author.
“My lord, our objection is anchored on the Supreme Court authority in Buhari Vs INEC and others. I object to this application because this witness is not the maker, neither was it tendered through him. We further rely on Palladium Mining Ltd & Gekpan Nigeria Limited 2003,” he said.
The proceedings effectively brought the cross-examination of the witness, a former Assistant Director (Legal) in the Federal Ministry of Justice who now serves as Assistant Legal Adviser in the Federal Ministry of Power, to a close.
Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently adjourned the matter till July 2, 2026, for further hearing as the high-profile corruption trial continues.
