By Mohammed Bello Doka
On Monday, June 10, 2024, a key witness in the trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, provided detailed testimony at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja. The witness, Adebayo Ilori, recounted how significant sums were allegedly transferred to Agunloye by Jide Sotirin, a staff member of Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd.
Agunloye faces seven charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) related to official corruption and the fraudulent award of a $6 billion Mambila Power Project contract.
Ilori, a compliance officer with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), explained under the direction of prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed that in October 2022, GTB received an EFCC request for account details concerning Agunloye and Sotirin. Ilori stated that GTB's head of the unit, Wale Agunbiade, provided the EFCC with the account information, which was meticulously cross-verified with bank records.
The court admitted these documents as exhibits after Ilori confirmed their authenticity. He detailed that Sotirin had transferred a total of N5,221,000 to Agunloye in connection with the Mambila Power Project contract. Specifically, Ilori highlighted transfers on August 10, 2019, for N3,600,000; October 22, 2019, for N500,000; and November 13, 2019, for N1,121,000.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie scheduled the case for cross-examination on June 11, 2024.
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