Alleged $6bn Mambilla Project Fraud: Court Admits Additional Evidence Against Ex-Minister Agunloye

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, admitted further evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye.

Agunloye is standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and the fraudulent award of a $6 billion contract for the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

The newly admitted evidence includes an investigative report on the Mambilla project and a warrant of arrest issued for one Jide Sotinri. These documents were tendered by the prosecution and marked as Exhibits EFCC R and S.

During the proceedings, Agunloye’s counsel, Adeola Adedikpe, SAN, informed the court of an application seeking the temporary release of his client’s international passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical evaluation.

In response, prosecuting counsel M.K. Hussain requested additional time to study the application and file a formal reply.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to Thursday, July 17, 2025, for the hearing of the passport release application.