A former Minister of Power and Steel, Mr. Olu Agunloye, on Thursday accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of tarnishing his reputation in connection with the controversial Mambilla Power Project.
Agunloye made the claims while being cross-examined by the EFCC’s counsel, Senior Advocate Wahab Shittu, during a defamation lawsuit he filed against the commission. The case is currently before Judge Peter Kekemeke at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
The former minister is also facing separate criminal fraud charges filed by the EFCC related to the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract. That criminal trial is before Judge Jude Onwuegbuzie in the same court.
In his defamation suit (FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024), Agunloye contended that the EFCC damaged his good name through a post on its official website accusing him of corruption and fraud. He said similar allegations appeared on allied online platforms with headlines such as “EFCC arraigns Agunloye over $6 billion fraud.”
Through his lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Agunloye demanded that the EFCC retract the defamatory statements, issue an unreserved apology, and pay N1 billion in general and exemplary damages.
Agunloye said the EFCC’s publications misled the public into believing he recklessly awarded a $6 billion contract and took bribes, thereby damaging his reputation. He emphasized that the Mambilla project he managed was a built, operate and transfer scheme at no cost to the federal government.
He further explained that as minister, he wrote a memo to former President Olusegun Obasanjo seeking approval for the project, which was granted. Agunloye also presented the project to the Federal Executive Council as directed.
He denied involvement in any international arbitration related to the contract, stating that the federal government’s dispute was over a contract awarded in 2017 by the Buhari administration—not the one he awarded in 2003, which was later cancelled by the government.
The court adjourned the matter to October 30 for the EFCC to open its defence.
