The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on fresh charges bordering on alleged fraud in the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

Agunloye, who served as minister during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is facing an amended seven-count charge brought by the EFCC.

The charges revolve around allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and the fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla power contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

According to the amended charge, Agunloye is accused of knowingly disobeying a presidential directive issued during a Federal Executive Council meeting on May 21, 2003.

The EFCC alleged that two days later, Agunloye wrote a letter to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company, purporting to grant government approval for the construction of the 3,960 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station, despite lacking authorisation.

One of the counts also links Agunloye with Leno Adesanya, identified as being “at large” and connected to Sunrise Power. The EFCC alleged that both men used a false document to mislead the Federal Republic of Nigeria into committing to the multibillion-dollar contract. When the charges were read, Agunloye pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The EFCC counsel requested a date for continuation of the testimony of the third prosecuting witness, who had earlier taken the stand before the court. In his ruling, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned proceedings until October 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.