The trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye, over the alleged fraudulent award of the multi-billion-dollar Mambilla Power Project, continued on Monday before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, with a third prosecution witness revealing that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had expressed readiness to testify against Agunloye whenever required.

Agunloye is standing trial on an amended seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing him of official corruption and the fraudulent award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract, estimated at $6 billion.

Testifying under cross-examination by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), the third prosecution witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, told the court that Obasanjo had formally communicated his willingness to appear before any court or arbitration panel on matters relating to the Mambilla project.

According to Babangida, a letter dated November 27, 2023, authored by the former President and addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation, clearly indicated Obasanjo’s readiness to testify “in any court or forum when the need arises or should it be considered necessary in the national interest.”

The witness also referenced an earlier letter dated April 7, 2003, written by Agunloye to then-President Obasanjo.

In that correspondence, the defendant reportedly urged the President to consider Sunrise Power and Transmission Company for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station.

Babangida told the court that Obasanjo had raised no objection to the proposal but directed Agunloye to present the memo before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for comparison with a Coal Fire Thermal Project capable of generating between 4,000 and 5,000 megawatts.

When asked whether the former President had any personal issues with Agunloye, the witness said he could not recall Obasanjo making such a claim.

He explained that his testimony was restricted to the responses provided by the former President in a questionnaire submitted to him during the investigation.

“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,” Babangida said.

He added that the former President also maintained that no contract was awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company during his tenure, noting that there was neither presidential approval nor FEC endorsement for the award.

“He stated that he was not aware of the existence of the contract award letter dated May 27, 2003,” the witness further told the court.

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