FEC Directed Agunloye to Withdraw Mambilla Contract

Umar Babangida, a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified in the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja regarding Olu Agunloye, the former Minister of Power and Steel. Babangida stated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) directed Agunloye to withdraw the award of the Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL).

This action allegedly contravened a presidential directive issued on May 21, 2023, which had approved the contract for the construction of a 3,960 MW hydroelectric power station. The EFCC has charged Agunloye with seven counts, including disobedience to a presidential directive and forgery.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that the FEC did not instruct Agunloye to reduce the contract details by 10% but rather to withdraw the award. The case has been adjourned to February 18, 2025, with Babangida asserting that no specific presidential directive was issued regarding the award of the contract.