Court dismisses ex minister, Agunloye’s motion to stop prosecution by EFCC in alleged $6 billion fraud case

Justice Jude Onwueguzie from the Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, dismissed a legal challenge on Monday from Olu Agunloye, the ex-Minister of Power and Steel, regarding the EFCC’s right to bring charges against him for an alleged fraud of $6 billion.

Agunloye is on trial for allegedly fraudulently awarding the Mambilla power project contract worth $6 billion.

At the last adjournment, the former minister’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), submitted a motion claiming that the EFCC did not have the necessary investigative or prosecutorial authority to pursue the charges against him.

Agunloye further requested that the court permit the involvement of Amicus Curiae, or friends of the court, in the hearing of the preliminary motion.

However, at the Monday’s sitting, Justice Onwueguzie ruled that the basis for the application was not necessary, saying that the court was not a novice and the friends of the court were not parties in the matter.

Citing Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the judge also said that the law was clear on matters to be prosecuted by the EFCC.

The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to April 22 for hearing of preliminary motion.