Witness Validates Key Evidence Against Agunloye

​Category: Judiciary/Politics

​The ongoing trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, reached a pivotal stage on Thursday, July 2, 2026, as the Fifth Prosecution Witness (PW5), Iliya John Iyakwari, reinforced the integrity of documents central to the $6 billion Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power Project fraud case.

​Presiding at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie oversaw the conclusion of the witness’s re-examination, during which Iyakwari confirmed that two key prosecution exhibits—Exhibit EFCC 3D and Exhibit EFCC 3K—are identical in their content regarding the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on May 21, 2003.

​Evidence Verification

​The exhibits in question contain extracts of the minutes from the 2003 FEC meeting, which deliberated on the 3,960MW power project. The witness, a legal professional currently serving in the Federal Ministry of Power, confirmed that the deliberations, resolutions, conclusions, and directives documented in both exhibits are verbatim counterparts.

​This confirmation follows a contentious cross-examination period initiated on June 18, 2026, by the defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN). During previous proceedings, the defence had questioned the witness regarding discrepancies in the documents. In response, prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed (SAN) led the witness through a detailed review to clarify the authenticity of the records, which serve as foundational evidence for the prosecution’s case.

​Case Background

​Dr. Olu Agunloye is standing trial before the EFCC on an amended seven-count charge. The allegations include:

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• ​Official Corruption: Unauthorized award of the $6 billion Mambilla project contract.

• ​Fraudulent Contract Award: Purportedly granting the contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited without proper budgetary provision, cash backing, or presidential approval.

• ​Forgery: Conspiring to forge a letter conveying federal government approval for the project.

• ​Gratification: Allegedly receiving N5.2 million from the project’s stakeholders during his time as a former minister, an allegation he has consistently denied.

​The Mambilla project, conceived as a centerpiece of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, has remained mired in decades of legal disputes, international arbitration, and allegations of systemic corruption. Prosecutors argue that the contract was awarded to Sunrise Power against the explicit directives of the then-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

​The trial is set to continue on July 6, 2026, as the court seeks to resolve the long-standing questions surrounding one of Nigeria’s most significant abandoned infrastructure projects.

​Background of the Mambilla Power Project

​This video provides a summary of the historical context and the persistent challenges surrounding the Mambilla Power Project.