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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 David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court judgement that removed its leadership.
The opposition party also disclosed that it had filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgement pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.
The party made this known in a statement on Friday, November 6, adding that it had formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the legal steps taken,
The appeal is against the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1619/2025, involving Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and the ADC.
The party urged INEC to refrain from taking any further action on the matter until the Court of Appeal has considered the case.
It argued that the application for a stay of execution was yet to be decided and that the electoral commission should not take any step that could affect the outcome of the appeal.
According to the ADC, it expects INEC to respect the ongoing legal process and allow the appellate court to hear the matter before making any decision connected to the judgement.
The statement partly read, “The ADC is exercising its lawful right to appeal. The judgement is now being challenged before a higher court, and the legal process must be allowed to run its course.
“We expect INEC to uphold the law and take full account of the pending proceedings before making any consequential decisions.”
The party also urged its members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that the court judgement would not stop its political activities.
It said its campaigns would continue while it explored all available legal options to defend its position.
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring the caretaker committee that oversaw the party’s affairs illegal and invalidating all decisions taken by the committee.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, also affects the presidential primary that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s presidential candidate, had already selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the process through which the David Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the leadership.
He consequently asked the court to invalidate all actions undertaken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Senator Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The plaintiff maintained that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
In suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the ADC, INEC, Senator David Mark, Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu were listed as defendants.
Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively invalidating the authority of the caretaker committee and decisions taken under its leadership.
The verdict is expected to trigger fresh political uncertainty within the ADC, particularly over Atiku’s presidential ambition and the party’s preparations for the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
However, the party has vowed to challenge the judgment at the appellate court.
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