The third prosecution witness (PW3) in the ongoing trial of a former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye, ACP Umar Hussain Babangida, Wednesday, told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that Agunloye was not the Minister of Power when former President Olusegun Obasanjo approved the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power project.

The former minister is being prosecuted by the EFCC on behalf of the federal government, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on disobeying presidential directive, conspiracy, forgery and receiving gratification before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, sitting at Apo, Abuja.

It was alleged that while serving as a minister, Agunloye conspired with Leno Adesayan of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) to forge a letter titled, “Construction of 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a build, operate and transfer” basis. 

He was also alleged to have received gratification from Adesanya to the tune of N5.212 million through Jide Abiodun Sotirin through his (Agunloye’s) Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) account, for conveying the federal government’s approval for the construction of the Mambila Hydroelectric Power Station.

The former minister, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the resumed hearing of the case, Babangida, under cross-examination by counsel for Agunloye, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, stated that Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with North China Electric Power Design/North China Power Group which he said he had earlier tendered in court.

He stated further that North China Power Group had an understanding with the federal government to execute three power projects in the country, including the Phase One of Mambilla Hydroelectric Power project.

He told the court that the Federal Ministry of Power and Steel attested to the strength and management experience of North China Group to carry out the project.