The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not charge former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye, with a $6 billion fraud.
Agunloye stated this in a writ of summons filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, in a defamation suit marked FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024. The suit, filed by his counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, alleged that the EFCC damaged his reputation through posts on its social media platforms.
The former minister accused the commission of portraying him as a corrupt and fraudulent individual, thereby tarnishing his integrity.
He, therefore, sought a declaration that the publication was false and defamatory, as well as an order compelling the EFCC to retract ... and issue an unreserved public apology.
Agunloye is also demanding ₦1 billion in general and exemplary damages.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the EFCC’s sole witness, Umar Babangida, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and investigator with the commission, was cross-examined by Adedipe.
Babangida told the court that he is a witness in the ongoing criminal trial of Agunloye before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court, Apo, which has not yet been concluded.
When shown the criminal charge against Agunloye, Babangida admitted that there was no mention of any $6 billion allegation in the document.
“There is nothing like that in the charge,” he told the court.
When confronted with Paragraph 29 of his witness statement on oath, Babangida retracted and confirmed that the publication originated from the EFCC’s media department.
“I don’t know if Exhibit C (the publication) is an EFCC publication. I am an investigator, not in the media department. The publication is from the EFCC media department,” he said.
Earlier, while being led in evidence by EFCC counsel O. S. Ajayi, Babangida adopted his written statement as his oral testimony in the case.
Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter until February 2, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses by the parties.
Agunloye is separately facing an amended seven-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/617/2023, filed by the EFCC. The charges border on forgery, disobedience to presidential directives, and receipt of gratification in connection with the award of the Mambilla Hydropower Project in Taraba State.
The EFCC alleged that on May 22, 2003, Agunloye, while serving as minister, awarded the Mambilla contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) without budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.
It further alleged that he received a total of ₦5.212 million from SPTCL and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, through Jide Abiodun Sotirin, paid into his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) account for conveying the Federal Government’s approval of the project in favor of SPTCL.
Agunloye has, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.