EFCC Re-Arraigns Ex-Power Minister On Amended Charge

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, re-arraigned former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye, over alleged corruption in the $6bn Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project..Read ..Full.. Article.. .

Agunloye was arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on disobedience to presidential directive, forgery, and receiving bribes.

Prosecution counsel, M.K. Hussain, who held brief for Abba Mohammed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that the EFCC had filed a second amended charge and urged that the defendant be allowed to take his plea. Counsel for Agunloye,

Adeola Adedipe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, raised no objection.

The charges were read in court, and the former minister pleaded not guilty.

According to the EFCC, Agunloye, while serving as minister on May 22, 2003, disobeyed a presidential directive issued at the Federal Executive Council meeting of May 21, 2003, by approving a letter to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL), granting government approval for the construction of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station, and..  Read . .More