Photo combination of EFCC logo and the Former Minister Of Power And Steel, Olu Agunloye
By JOY ADARA, Abuja-
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has tendered a statement made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the trial of Dr. Olu Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel.
Agunloye is facing a seven-count charge bordering on forgery, disobeying presidential directive, and gratification.
According to the EFCC, Agunloye awarded a contract for the Mambilla Hydropower Station to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) without budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.
The commission also alleged that Agunloye received N5.212 million from SPTCL and Leno Adesanya through his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) account.
Obasanjo’s statement, made to the EFCC, revealed that he did not give approval to Agunloye to award the contract to SPTCL. The former president also stated that the letter issued by Agunloye on May 22, 2003, awarding the contract was not on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The EFCC’s third prosecution witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, told the court that Obasanjo’s statement was made during an interview with the commission’s investigating team.
“Obasanjo told us that he did not give approval to the defendant to award the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station to SPTCL,” Babangida said.
The court temporarily admitted Obasanjo’s statement as an exhibit, despite objections from Agunloye’s counsel.
The case has been adjourned until June 18 for continuation of hearing.
