News
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 Enugu State Government has suspended His Royal Majesty, Igwe Eze William Ezugwu, the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Ogbozalla Opi Autonomous Community, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state.
The state government accused Igwe Ezugwu of violating provisions of the state’s Traditional Rulers Law.
In a letter of suspension dated September 24, the Enugu State Government cited his alleged failure to constitute his cabinet, failure to establish a Town Union governing body, and persistent conduct deemed inconsistent with the laws governing traditional rulers in the state.
The suspension comes barely three weeks after Igwe William Ezugwu received NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi at his palace in Opi, Nsukka LGA, where he reportedly blessed Obi’s presidential ambition.
The Deputy Commander of Operation Rainbow, CSP (Chief Superintendent of Police) Dennis David Babale, has been killed after gunmen suspected to be Fulani Bandits ambushed personnel of the security outfit along the Bokkos-Barkin Ladi road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Operation Rainbow is a State-backed community security and intelligence-gathering outfit in Plateau State, Nigeria, originally established in 2010 under former Governor Jonah Jang and recently revamped by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to combat rural violence and beef up grassroots security.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 4:06 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 when the personnel, travelling in a Toyota Hilux vehicle, came under attack by unidentified gunmen.
Troops of Sector 4, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), responded to a distress report and moved to the location of the attack.
Sources told reporters that Babale sustained gunshot wounds during the ambush and was evacuated to the General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, for medical attention.
Following the attack, troops, working alongside personnel of other security agencies, launched offensive operations and a manhunt for the assailants within the general area.
Security forces have intensified efforts to track the attackers and prevent further attacks along the route.
Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the World Meteorological Organization, Prof. Charles Anosike and other Chief Executive Officers of similar agencies across the world, have concluded a one week high level dialogue on Climate Science Information for Climate Finance and the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange (SOFE) in Beijing, China.
The event which was hosted by World Meteorological Organization (WMO), took place from September 14 to 18, 2026 and featured discussions on: strengthening the role and leadership development of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in mobilizing climate finance; aligning scientific and technical capabilities with risk-informed, people-centred early warning systems; shifting from technical assistance to sustainable investments by expanding practical cooperation between meteorological frameworks and multilateral financing entities; and support to NMHSs leadership on strengthening strategic thinking and fostering productive partnerships.
Held back-to-back with the High-level dialogue was the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange to Fujian Province for first-hand exposure to the implementation of Multi-hazard, Alert, Zero-gap and Universal (MAZU) platform – China’s AI-driven meteorological early warning solution in support of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and disaster risk reduction practices through technical exchanges, field visits and peer learning.
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