Former Power Minister, Olu Agunloye Remanded In Kuje Prison Alleged $6bln Mambila Power Project
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday remanded a former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye, in Kuje Prison over an allegation of corruption levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission ( EFCC).
However, when the charges were read out to him, Agunloye pleaded not guilty.
The presiding judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo, ordered that he be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Center until bail is granted.
Agunloye is facing trial over alleged $6billion Mambilla Hydropower project contract fraud.
Earlier, the EFCC had issued a warrant for Agunloye’s arrest on December 13 due to alleged corruption, urging the public to provide any information on his whereabouts to the agency.
In September, reports had alleged that the EFCC tracked dubious payments from Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd to Agunloye’s bank accounts.
Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had challenged Agunloye to disclose the authority he had to award a $6 billion contract to Sunrise for the Mambilla hydropower project in 2003.
However, Agunloye defended his actions by stating that the government wasn’t obligated to pay any amount to Sunrise under the build, operate, and transfer (BOT) agreement, as the project was meant to be fully financed by the newly established company.
He noted that the declared assets of the company at that time were valued at less than $2,000. (vitalnewsngr.com)
