
Former Minister of Energy, Dr Olu Agunloye was on Monday re-arraigned earlier than a HIgh Court docket of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo on a seven-count amended cost filed by the modification made by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC).
Agunloye pleaded not responsible when the cost marked: FCT/HC/CR/617/2023, bordering on forgery, disobedience of presidential order and corruption in relation to the three,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Energy Station in Taraba State, was learn to him by an official of the courtroom.
The prosecution alleged, amongst others, that the previous minister obtained N5.212million from Dawn Energy and Transmission Firm Restricted (SPTCL) and Leno Adesanya, via Jide Abiodun Sotinrin, paid into Agunloye’s Warranty Belief Checking account, for conveying the Federal Authorities’s approval for the development of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Energy Station in favour of SPTCL whereas serving as minister.
Whereas testifying on Monday, the second prosecution witness (PW2), Adewale Agunbiade, a from Compliance Officer with Jaiz Financial institution Plc (previously with GTBank) mentioned he neither knew the defendant personally nor had any particular curiosity within the case.
Agunbiade mentioned regardless of having left GTBank, he was not shocked when the EFCC invited him in Might, 2023 to come back and volunteer his assertion on the case.
The witness, who was being cross-examined by defence lawyer, Aseola Adedipe (SAN) mentioned when he knowledgeable the EFCC that he had left GTBank, he was instructed that he was the one who ready the paperwork referring to the courtroom’s proceedings.
He confirmed the financial institution assertion of Jide Abiodun Sotinrin, who paid cash into Agunloye’s account on August 10, 2019, October 22, 2019 and November 13, 2019.
Agunbiade mentioned the transactions had been about people’ tranfers, explaining that the switch of cash was from one particular person buyer of GTBank to a different particular person buyer of the identical financial institution.
He mentioned the switch of N3.6million by Sotinrin to Agunloye’s account didn’t reference that it was made on behalf of both Leno Adesanya or Dawn Energy and Transmission Restricted.
The witness added that the narration for the switch of N1,121,000 by Sotinrin to the defendant didn’t state that it was on behalf of Dawn Energy and Transmission Restricted.
He mentioned the N500,000 transferred to the defendant by Sotunrin didn’t reference that it was from Dawn Energy and Transmission Restricted or Leno Adesanya.
At th conclusion of the witness’ testimony, Justice Jude Onwugbuese adjourned additional listening to until February 24.