$6bn Mambila Project Was Never Approved by FEC, Imoke Revealed – EFCC Witness
A prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday told a federal capital territory (FCT) high court that Liyel Imoke, former minister of power, had informed Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) that the federal government never approved the $6 billion Mambila Hydro Power Project.
Testifying as the third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Olu Agunloye, Imoke’s predecessor, Umar Babangida said the memo for the project award was not approved by the federal executive council (FEC) in its May 21, 2003 meeting.
“Senator Liyel Imoke further informed the investigation team that in his letter to Sunrise, he advised Sunrise to rather participate in the bidding process for the power project when it is advertised,” Babangida testified. “And that until he left office in November 2006, no approval was granted for the award of the project to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.”
Agunloye, who served as minister of power and steel, is being prosecuted over the alleged unlawful award of the project to SPTCL on May 22, 2003, without FEC approval, budgetary provision, or cash backing. He has pleaded not guilty to a seven-count charge that includes forgery, gratification, and disobedience to presidential directives.
Babangida’s attempt to present broader findings from the EFCC’s investigation drew objection from the defence, prompting Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie to adjourn the matter to July 7 for ruling, and July 10 and 16 for continuation.
