Jun 10, 2026

Witness Clarifies FEC Document Mix-Up in $6bn Mambilla Fraud Trial

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Abuja, June 10, 2026 — In the high-profile trial of former Power Minister Olu Agunloye over the alleged fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract, a key prosecution witness on Wednesday provided detailed clarification on the certification timeline of crucial Federal Executive Council (FEC) documents.

The testimony came amid cross-examination in the case being heard by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja.

Olu Agunloye is facing a seven-count amended charge bordering on official corruption and the fraudulent award of the massive Mambilla hydropower project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the matter.

The fifth prosecution witness (PW5), Iliya John Iyakwari—an assistant director of legal who has served in both the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Power—explained the sequence of events surrounding the certification of extracts from the FEC meeting of May 21, 2003.

Iyakwari told the court that the EFCC formally requested the certified extracts in July 2023. He said the initial copy forwarded to the Commission was not certified, prompting the EFCC to return it.

In January 2024, an EFCC staff member identified as Babangida brought the document back for proper certification.

He admitted to mistakenly stamping the original forwarding letter (dated July 27, 2023) during the certification process, which occurred on January 26, 2024.

This explains the apparent discrepancy in dates on the documents.

“I mistakenly stamped the original forwarding letter… After stamping the document I gave it back to my director, who I believed handed it over to Babangida,” the witness stated.

Prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, defended the witness’s account, arguing there was no contradiction in the testimony and that the records speak for themselves.

He objected to certain lines of cross-examination by the defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, citing constitutional provisions and court procedures.

Court Proceedings

The defence had sought to highlight perceived inconsistencies in the certification timeline. However, the prosecution maintained that the documents remain valid certified true copies of public records.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to June 18 and July 2, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.

Significance of the Mambilla Project Case

The Mambilla Power Project, long touted as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious hydropower initiatives, has been mired in controversy for years. Allegations of massive financial irregularities in its award have drawn significant public attention. The ongoing trial underscores the EFCC’s continued push to hold high-profile public officials accountable for alleged corruption in major national infrastructure projects.

For many Nigerians, the case represents more than legal proceedings—it touches on the broader struggle against graft in the power sector, where billions of dollars have been spent over decades with limited tangible results in electricity supply.

The EFCC’s official update on the matter was shared via its verified X account (@officialEFCC), reflecting the Commission’s commitment to transparency in high-stakes corruption cases.

As the trial continues, all eyes remain on how the court will navigate the technical details of documentary evidence and their impact on the broader corruption charges.