Alleged $6bn fraud: Agunloye opposes EFCC’s amended charge

A former minister of power, Olu Agunloye, on Monday challenged the amended charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

He was arraigned by the commission for alleged $6 billion fraud in the Mambila Hydropower Plant in Taraba State.

Agunloye, who served as a minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, was arraigned on a seven-count charge of forgery and disobedience to presidential order.

The EFCC alleged that the ex-minister on May 22, 2003, awarded a contract titled: “Construction of 3,960 Megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station without following due process.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammad (SAN), told the court that the prosecution had filed an amended charge and provided an additional six proof of evidence.

He, therefore, urged the court to allow the defendant to take his plea to the amended charge.

Agunloye, who opposed the new charge through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), told the court that the case was adjourned for him to cross-examine the second prosecution witness, Adewale Agunbiade.

He said the prosecution should allow its witness to be cross-examined first before talking about amendment of the charge before the court.

The ex-minister insisted that the prosecution cannot unilaterally amend the charge before the court.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case till November 11.

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