A third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed his readiness to testify in any court or forum concerning the Mambilla Power Project or matters of national interest.
Agunloye is facing seven amended charges, including allegations of official corruption and the fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract during his tenure as Minister of Power.
The witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, provided the testimony while being cross-examined by Agunloye’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe. Babangida said there exists a letter from Obasanjo dated November 27, 2023, addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation, indicating his willingness to appear and testify in any arbitration or court setting should the need arise in the national interest.
Babangida also referred to a letter written by Agunloye to President Obasanjo on April 7, 2003, in which Agunloye requested that Sunrise Power and Transmission Company be considered for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station. The former president reportedly raised no objection but instructed that the proposal be reviewed alongside a coal-fired thermal option for generating 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts.
“During our discussions, President Obasanjo stated that he was aware of the project but that no contract had been approved. He emphasized that no award was made to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company during his tenure, and he had no knowledge of any contract dated May 27, 2003″, Babangida testified.
When asked whether Obasanjo had any personal issues with Agunloye, Babangida said he could not recall any such statement, explaining that Obasanjo’s responses were based solely on a provided questionnaire.
