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Court witness: Obasanjo asked minister to add N11bn to money appropriated for Mambilla project
A prosecution witness has revealed how former President Olusegun Obasanjo asked former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye, to add N11 billion to the N6 billion already appropriated in the 2003 budget for the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power project.
The witness, Umar Babangida, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said this while testifying before and Abuja court during his continued cross-examination by counsel for the former minister, Adeola Adedipe SAN.
Agunloye is being prosecuted by the EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Government, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on disobeying a presidential directive, conspiracy, forgery, and receiving gratification, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, sitting at Apo, Abuja.
He was alleged to have, while serving as a minister, conspired with Leno Adesayan of SPTCL to forge a letter titled, “Construction of 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a build, operate and transfer” basis.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The witness told the court that it took about 23 years from the feasibility studies for the project in 1981 to 2003 when it was eventually awarded.
He added that seven companies that had indicated interest in the construction of the power project were screened for this purpose.
He added that the former president held a private meeting with Agunloye on the night of May 20, 2003.
According to the witness, EFCC’s investigation revealed that a private meeting was held the night before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of May 21, 2003.
He noted that the former president directed that Agunloye add N11 billion to the already appropriated N6 billion in the 2003 budget for the take-off of the Mambilla project.
“Yes, my Lord. The former president mentioned it at the Federal Executive Council meeting.
” However, the details of the discussion of the previous day were not fully given by the former president,” Babangida told the court.
He added that the Federal Government could have paid $1.5 billion as its 25 per cent equity participation in the $6 billion power project on a build, operate and transfer basis.
Babangida further told the court that after FEC members supported the memorandum presented by Agunloye on May 22, 2003, on the 25 per cent equity participation, the then Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and a sitting minister opined that a review of government participation from 25 per cent should be considered.
He, however, asserted that it was not entirely true that it was on that basis that Agunloye was asked by the FEC meeting to withdraw his memorandum on the Mambilla project.
He said several observations were raised by the former president, the former vice-president and other members of the Executive Council, which led the Council to direct the former minister (Agunloye) to withdraw the memorandum.”
The PW3 further told the court that Agunloye was directed to withdraw his memorandum with a view to engaging investors in constructive negotiations and exploring various investment options to secure a reduction in the 25 per cent equity participation.
He said that the various options mentioned by the Council included equity participation by the Federal Government, ranging from zero per cent to not more than 25 per cent.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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