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$6bn Mambilla Power Fraud: Obasanjo Denies Granting Project Approval

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an Abuja high court has tendered the statement made to it by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the trial of Mr Olu Agunloye, saying no consent was granted for the project.

Mr Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel under Mr Obasanjo, is being charged with infractions in the award of contract for Mambilla Hydropower Station in Taraba.

The former Minister is standing trial on an a seven-count charge bordering on forgery, disobeying presidential directive and gratification brought against him before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, of Apo high court.

In the charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/617/2023, EFCC alleged that Mr Agunloye awarded contract for the Mambilla project on May 22, 2003 to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) without any budgetary provision, approval, and cash backing.

The commission also alleged that the former minister received N5.212million from SPTCL and Leno Adesanya, through Jide Abiodun Sotirin through his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) account to “convey” the Federal Government’s approval for the construction of the Mambilla power project in favour of SPTCL while serving as minister.

The former minister, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

At the resumed hearing of the case , the third prosecution witness (PW3), Mr Umar Hussein Babangida, an Assistant Commissioner of Police on secondment to EFCC told the court that former president Obasanjo, wrote a letter, dated Nov. 27, 2023, to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

He added that in the letter, he gave account of what transpired at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of May 21, 2003 concerning the power project contract.

The witness said that EFCC subsequently wrote to the Federal Ministry of Justice, requesting for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the former president’s letter, which the ministry obliged the commission.

“We received the CTC of the document where the former president stated that he received a memorandum from the former Minister of Power.

He added that and he minuted on the document, directing minister to submit a memo to the Federal Executive Council for deliberation.

He said but, “he did not give approval to the minister for the award of the contract and neither was approval given at FEC meeting of May 21, 2003.”

The witness further informed the court that in the cause of the investigation,, the commission’s investigating team, met with Mr Obasanjo.

“We interviewed the former president and he later made a statement.

“In the cause of the interview, Obasanjo told us that he did not give approval to the defendant to award the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station to SPTCL,” he said.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Abba Mohammed SAN, then tendered the former president’s statement as an exhibit in the case.

The defendant’s counsel, Mr Samuel Fagade, who represented the lead counsel, Mr Adeola Adedipe SAN, objected to the document though he did not state the grounds of object.

He, however, told the court that he was reserving it for the final argument in the case.

The former president’s statement was temporarily admitted as an exhibit by the court.

Giving the summary of their interview session with the former president, Mr Babangida told the court that Obasanjo told the investigating team that the former minister was directed by the FEC meeting of May 21, 2003 to withdraw his memorandum.

He added that the team was further told by Mr Obasanjo that the letter issued on May 22, 2003 by the then minister of power awarding the contract to SPTCL was not on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The witness further told the court that the investigating team then reviewed Agunloye’s financial records and discovered that he (defendant) operated several bank accounts, including one with the GT Bank.

He informed the court that Agunloye received money through his GT Bank account from one, Mr Sotirin Jide Abiodun.

He said he was a domestic personal assistant to Mr Leno Laitan Adesanya as well as staff member of companies belonging to Mr Adesanya and a director in Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.

According to the witness, Mr Sotirin Abiodun transferred the sums of N3.6million; N500,000 and N1.1 million to Mr Agunloye’s account on August 10, 2019, October 22, 2019 and November 13, 2019 respectively.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned until June 18 for continuation of hearing.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Lagos Police Investigates Ammunition Package Delivery to First Bank MD

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Oluwasegun Alebiosu First Bank MD

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos State Police Command is investigating the delivery of a parcel containing live ammunition delivered to the managing director of First Bank Nigeria, Mr Oluwasegun Alebiosu.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Mr Tijani Fatai, confirmed the incident on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters.

He said Mr Alebiosu reported the case on May 7, noting that two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were sent to him through a parcel.

“The managing director reported the matter to the police after a package containing two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was delivered on his behalf by his security guard at his residence. The case is still under investigation, and we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.

According to him, the parcel was first received by the bank chief’s security guard, who then handed it over to him.

The police commissioner said that operatives have launched an investigation, including forensic analysis and intelligence work, to identify the perpetrators and the circumstances of the incident.

He added that no suspect linked to the crime has been brought into custody.

“Presently, no suspect is in custody. Even though the MD has mentioned some people whom he suspected of being the brains behind it, that is his suspicion, anyway. We are still working on it,” he said.

Mr Fatai noted that detectives are reviewing information provided by the complainant, including details of individuals who may have relevant knowledge of the incident.

He assured the public that the command would keep them informed as the investigations go on, adding that the public should allow the police to carry out their duties.

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Makinde Imposes 16-Hour Curfew in 10 Oyo Local Councils Over Insecurity

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has approved the declaration of a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state, as part of measures targeted at tackling insecurity.

According to a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Musibau Babatunde, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

The movement restriction, between 4 pm and 8 am, lasts for 48 hours in the first instance and affects local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.

The affected local councils are Oriire local government (Headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile), Orelope (Headquarters: Igboho), Irepo (Headquarters: Kisi), Saki West (Headquarters: Saki), Saki East (Hq Ago-Amodu), Atisbo (Headquarters: Tede / Ago-Are), Itesiwaju (Headquarters: Otu), Iseyin (Headquarters: Iseyin), Olorunsogo (Headquarters: Igbeti), and Atiba (Headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo).

The development followed a series of protests that rocked the state over the abduction of children and teachers in the Orire Local Government Area in May.

The National Coordinator of the movement, Mr Juwon Sanyaolu, who spoke during the latest protest held on Monday, said the demonstration was part of ongoing efforts by the group to push for the freedom of the victims.

According to him, the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.”

“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.

“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West, and East of Nigeria,” Mr Sanyaolu said.

He also criticised political leaders for focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten the lives of Nigerians.

“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive.

“So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act, or they will continue to witness mass action,” he added.

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Alleged Wiretapping: El-Rufai to File No-Case Submission as DSS Closes Case

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Department of State Services (DSS) has closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling further witnesses in the matter, prompting the formal closure of the DSS case.

Following the development, defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence against the former governor.

The defence subsequently sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested two weeks to respond.

The defence also applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as stringent and difficult to meet.

They argued that the bail terms were too stringent, particularly the requirements for level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna state traditional council.

However, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to refuse the application.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request to vary the bail conditions, ruling that there are civil servants who own properties at the said location.

The court, however, adjourned to September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and continuation of the trial.

In February, the federal government filed a three-count charge against the former governor of Kaduna State over an alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu.

In a television interview, he confessed that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Mr Ribadu’s phone after it was tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.

However, the FG, through the secret police, filed charges against Mr El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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