Abuja, Nigeria – A Nigerian court resumed proceedings Monday in the high-profile corruption trial of Dr. Olu Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented critical documents linking Agunloye to alleged $6 billion contract fraud tied to the stalled Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station.
Agunloye faces seven charges, including forgery, flouting presidential orders, and accepting bribes. Prosecutors claim he unlawfully awarded the Mambilla project to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd (SPTCL) in 2003 without budget approvals. Additionally, he allegedly received ₦5.2 million via an intermediary for fast-tracking federal consent. The ex-minister denies all accusations.
During Monday’s hearing, EFCC investigator Umar Babangida testified as the third prosecution witness. He revealed that SPTCL, incorporated in 2001 with two directors, saw its shares surge from 1.25 million to 10 million by 2020—controlled largely by CEO Laitan Adesanya. Babangida also cited a 2003 letter where Agunloye urged then-President Olusegun Obasanjo to endorse SPTCL’s bid despite unresolved negotiations.
However, Agunloye’s legal team challenged Babangida’s testimony, arguing oral accounts of documents violated evidence rules. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie sided with the defense, compelling the EFCC to submit physical records. Key exhibits included correspondence from the Attorney-General’s office, corporate filings, and ministry documents detailing the contested contract.
The trial, adjourned until April 30, spotlights Nigeria’s decades-long struggle to complete the 3,000-megawatt Mambilla project—a cornerstone of its energy plans. Delays stem from legal battles and corruption claims, with Agunloye’s case marking the latest effort to untangle graft in public infrastructure deals.
Critics argue the trial underscores systemic flaws in Nigeria’s procurement processes, where approvals often bypass transparency. Meanwhile, supporters hail it as a test of accountability for powerful figures. As proceedings advance, stakeholders await answers on how billions vanished while electricity shortages persist nationwide.
This case joins a string of anti-graft prosecutions under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which vows to curb financial crimes. Yet skeptics question whether political elites will face lasting consequences. For millions of Nigerians enduring blackouts, the trial’s outcome could signal hope—or another missed chance for reform.
The Mambilla project, conceived in the 1970s, remains stalled despite its potential to power over 4 million homes. Agunloye’s trial may determine if its revival is possible—or if shadows of corruption will keep it dormant.
