Imoke Testifies on Mambilla Contract Approval in Court

Liyel Imoke, the former Governor of Cross River State, testified at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, stating that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) did not approve the $6 billion Mambilla power project contract awarded to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited. Imoke, serving as the sixth prosecution witness in the trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, asserted that the contract was invalid due to the lack of FEC approval.

He reviewed the minutes from the May 21, 2003, meeting where the project was discussed and confirmed that the FEC never approved it. During cross-examination, Imoke clarified that he was sworn in on July 15, 2003, and attended a subsequent FEC meeting in July where the minutes from the May meeting were adopted.

He noted that the proceedings from the July meeting were not included in the court's exhibit file. The trial is focused on Agunloye's alleged official corruption and fraudulent contract award while he served as Minister of Power and Steel from 2002 to 2003.