Former Minister of Power, Dr Olu Agunloye was on Monday re-arraigned before a HIgh Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo on a seven-count amended charge filed by the amendment made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Agunloye pleaded not guilty when the charge marked: FCT/HC/CR/617/2023, bordering on forgery, disobedience of presidential order and corruption in relation to the 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station in Taraba State, was read to him by an official of the court.
The prosecution alleged, among others, that the former minister received N5.212million from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) and Leno Adesanya, through Jide Abiodun Sotinrin, paid into Agunloye’s Guaranty Trust Bank account, for conveying the Federal Government’s approval for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station in favour of SPTCL while serving as minister.
While testifying on Monday, the second prosecution witness (PW2), Adewale Agunbiade, a from Compliance Officer with Jaiz Bank Plc (formerly with GTBank) said he neither knew the defendant personally nor had any special interest in the case.
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Agunbiade said despite having left GTBank, he was not surprised when the EFCC invited him in May, 2023 to come and volunteer his statement on the case.
The witness, who was being cross-examined by defence lawyer, Aseola Adedipe (SAN) said when he informed the EFCC that he had left GTBank, he was told that he was the one who prepared the documents relating to the court’s proceedings.
He confirmed the bank statement of Jide Abiodun Sotinrin, who paid money into Agunloye’s account on August 10, 2019, October 22, 2019 and November 13, 2019.
Agunbiade said the transactions were about individuals’ tranfers, explaining that the transfer of money was from one individual customer of GTBank to another individual customer of the same bank.
He said the transfer of N3.6million by Sotinrin to Agunloye’s account did not reference that it was made on behalf of either Leno Adesanya or Sunrise Power and Transmission Limited.
The witness added that the narration for the transfer of N1,121,000 by Sotinrin to the defendant did not state that it was on behalf of Sunrise Power and Transmission Limited.
He said the N500,000 transferred to the defendant by Sotunrin did not reference that it was from Sunrise Power and Transmission Limited or Leno Adesanya.
At th conclusion of the witness’ testimony, Justice Jude Onwugbuese adjourned further hearing till February 24.