A Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, on Tuesday heard that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed willingness to testify in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, over the alleged fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract.
The third prosecution witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, disclosed this before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie while being cross-examined by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN.
Agunloye is standing trial on an amended seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and the alleged unlawful award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company.
Babangida told the court that in a letter dated Nov. 27, 2023, addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation, former President Obasanjo stated his preparedness to appear before any court, arbitration panel or forum whenever necessary, particularly on matters concerning the Mambilla project or issues of national interest.
The witness also confirmed the existence of a letter dated April 7, 2003, written by Agunloye to then-President Obasanjo. He said that on page three of the document, the defendant requested that Sunrise Power be considered for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station.
According to Babangida, Obasanjo’s response at the time indicated no objection but directed that the matter be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for comparison with proposals for a coal-fired thermal plant with a projected output of 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts.
When asked whether Obasanjo had a personal issue with the defendant, the witness said he could not recall any such remark, noting that his statements were drawn strictly from the responses captured in a questionnaire the investigative team administered to the former president.
“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 Obasanjo clarified that no contract was awarded to Sunrise Power during his tenure, as he neither approved such an award nor was aware of any contract purportedly issued on May 27, 2003.
The matter was adjourned to a later date for continuation of trial.
