LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today objected to a request by former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, to travel abroad for medical treatment.Â
Agunloye is facing a seven-count charge of fraudulent contract award for the Mambilla Power Project worth $6 billion before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.
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The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale in a statement noted that at the proceedings, Agunloye’s counsel, Adeola Adedikpe, SAN, presented an application for leave to travel overseas for medical examination, accompanied by documents from University College Hospital, NISA Premier Hospital, and a foreign medical analyst.
However, the EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, filed a counter-affidavit through witness Hussain Babangida, urging the court to reject the application, citing Agunloye’s potential flight risk due to his previous reluctance to appear for trial until he was declared wanted.
The EFCC asked the court to dismiss Agunloye’s application based on the counter-affidavit and attached exhibits. Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until July 17, 2024, for a ruling on the application.