Court adjourns Olu Agunloye’s $6bn Mambilla power fraud trial to April 20 as EFCC witness gives key testimony. Full details here
Court Adjourns Agunloye’s $6bn Power Fraud Trial to April 20
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, has adjourned proceedings in the alleged $6 billion power fraud trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, to April 20, 2026.
Agunloye is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and the alleged fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.
At Monday’s hearing, the third prosecution witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, during re-examination by prosecuting counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, provided further clarification on the investigation.
Babangida told the court that the investigative team invited three former Attorneys-General of the Federation—Michael Aondokaa, Abubakar Malami, and Kanu Agabi—who all volunteered statements.
According to him, Aondokaa and Malami submitted written statements, while Agabi gave an oral account.
He said Agabi informed investigators that he could not recall the details or outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in question and advised them to rely on official records.
However, defence counsel Samuel Falade objected to the testimony, arguing that it was incompetent since the witness was recounting statements made by individuals who had not testified in court.
In response, EFCC counsel cited provisions of the Evidence Act and relevant case law to justify the scope of re-examination.
“The position of the law in re-examination shall be directed to the explanation of matters referred in cross examination as confirmed by the Supreme Court,” Mohammed argued.
He added:
“Re-examination is an avenue for a witness to state the whole truth of any matter which was not dealt with in examination.”
After considering the arguments, Justice Onwuegbuzie upheld the prosecution’s position and allowed the witness to continue his testimony.
Babangida further told the court:
“Mr Aondokaa, SAN stated that if he had seen the conclusion of the FEC meeting he would have not given any legal opinion. While Malami, SAN said he relied on the legal opinion of Mr Aondokaaa.”
Explaining documentary evidence presented in court, the witness clarified:
“Exhibit EFCC 3K is an extract that contains only the deliberation on Mambilla Hydro Electricity… While Exhibit EFCC 3D… showed deliberations of other ministries before the defendant, the ministry of the defendant in question and deliberations of the ministries after that of the defendant.”
Following the proceedings, the court adjourned the matter to April 20, 2026, for continuation of trial.
