You have no power to try me – Ex-minister Agunloye tells EFCC amid $6bn fraud allegations

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Apo set February 26, 2024, as the date to consider a motion filed by Olu Agunloye challenging the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him.

Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel, is accused of involvement in a $6 billion contract fraud related to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station project during his tenure between 1999 and 2003. He denies the charges and argues that the EFCC lacks the authority to prosecute him, stating that the alleged offenses do not fall under the EFCC Act’s definition of financial crimes.

Additionally, Agunloye seeks court orders to prevent EFCC from harassing his sureties and to modify his bail conditions. The trial judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, postponed the proceedings until February 26, 2024, to address these motions.