Mambila $6bn alleged Fraud: Obasanjo promised to testify

By Michael Olumide

A third prosecution witness (PW3) in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, has told Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, that former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed his willingness to testify in any court or forum regarding the award of the Mambilla Power Project or any other matter of national interest.

According to the Head of Media and Publicity at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Dele Oyewale, Agunloye is facing trial on an amended seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and the alleged fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract valued at $6 billion.

The witness, Umar Hussein Babangida (PW3), while being cross-examined by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, stated that former President Obasanjo had written a letter dated November 27, 2023, addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation, in which he expressed his willingness to testify in the matter in any arbitration court or forum when the need arises or if considered necessary in the national interest.

Babangida also spoke about a letter dated April 7, 2003, written by the defendant to then President Obasanjo. On page 3 of that letter, the defendant requested that Sunrise Power and Transmission Company be considered for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station. The former President, according to him, raised no objection but asked the defendant to present the memo to the Council for comparison with the Coal-Fired Thermal proposal for 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts.

When asked whether “the former President has a personal issue with Agunloye,” he responded that he could not recall any such statement by Obasanjo, noting that his responses were based solely on the questionnaire submitted to the former President.

“During our interrogation with President Obasanjo, he said he was aware of the contract, but there was no approval. This was clearly documented during the Federal Executive Council meeting.

“He also stated that no contract was awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company during his tenure because there was no approval for the award of such contracts, nor was he aware of the alleged contract award of May 27, 2003,” he said.