Former Minister Agunloye tells EFCC: “You lack the authority to prosecute me in the alleged $6 billion fraud case.”

Agunloye faces allegations of receiving a kickback of N3.6 million from the company he awarded a contract to.

Accused former Minister of Power and Steel, Mr. Olu Agunloye, filed a motion at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Apo, challenging the EFCC’s authority to prosecute him in a $6 billion contract fraud case, with a hearing set for February 26.

During his tenure from 1999 to 2003 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, Agunloye allegedly illegally granted a contract for the construction of a 3,960 MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station without proper budgetary provisions, approval, or financial backing.

The EFCC informed the court that the contract, awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, lacked necessary financial support.

Agunloye is also accused of receiving a corrupt kickback of N3.6 million from the contracted company.

Despite the allegations, Agunloye, who also served as Minister of State for Defence, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge against him.

During Monday’s proceedings, the 76-year-old defendant raised concerns about the EFCC’s jurisdiction over his case, questioning the agency’s investigative and prosecutorial powers under sections 6, 7, and 46 of the EFCC Act, 2004.