A federal capital territory high court in Apo has scheduled a hearing for February 26 to address a motion filed by Olu Agunloye, former minister of power and steel, who is challenging the criminal charge against him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Agunloye over a $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract, citing suspicious payments made by Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd to Agunloye’s bank accounts.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has also challenged Agunloye to explain where he derived the authority to award a $6 billion contract to Sunrise for the Mambilla hydropower project in 2003.
Agunloye faces seven-count charges including fraudulent award of a contract and official corruption.
In a preliminary objection dated February 6, Agunloye argued that the EFCC lacks the powers to prosecute him as the alleged offences do not constitute financial crimes, emphasizing the need for the court to determine the EFCC’s competence before proceeding with the trial.
Agunloye, aged 76, emphasized the importance of resolving procedural issues early on and requested the court to prohibit the EFCC from further prosecuting the case due to lack of investigative and prosecutorial powers.
During Monday’s court session, presiding judge Jude Onwuegbuzie deemed the application not ripe for hearing, adjourning the matter to February 26.”