Infostride News has received confirmation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that Olu Agunloye, the former Minister of State for Power, is currently in its custody. This revelation follows the recent declaration by the anti-graft agency, designating the former minister as wanted on charges of forgery and corruption.
As reported exclusively by Channels, a reliable source within the EFCC disclosed that Agunloye has been in their custody since December 13, 2023. The source emphasized that this information had not been made public until now.
“He has been with the EFCC since December 13th,” the source stated, shedding light on the discreet nature of Agunloye’s detention.
In a significant turn of events on December 13, 2023, the EFCC had officially declared Agunloye wanted in connection with an alleged $6 billion fraud linked to the controversial Mambilla hydropower project. The anti-graft agency made the announcement through its official X (formerly Twitter) account, providing details about the accusations against the former minister.
The EFCC’s statement read, “The public is hereby notified that Olu Agunloye, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of corruption and forgery. Olu, 75, is from Akoko North Local Government Area, Ondo State. His last known address is No 20 Sold Boney Way, Bodija, Ibadan.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Benin, Kaduna, Ibadan, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Mardi, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Uyo, Port Harcourt, and Abuja offices or contact 08093322644 or email info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest police station and any other security agencies.”
It is crucial to recall that Agunloye, who served as a minister during the administration of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been at the center of the controversy surrounding the Mambilla project. The allegations against him revolve around a purported $6 billion fraud related to the hydropower project, which has been a subject of considerable scrutiny.
President Obasanjo himself accused Agunloye of fraudulently awarding the contract for the Mambilla project without obtaining approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC). This accusation set off a heated exchange between the two, with Agunloye vehemently denying the charges and accusing the outgoing president of disseminating false information.
The unfolding events involving Olu Agunloye and the EFCC underscore the gravity of the allegations and the efforts by the anti-graft agency to address corruption in high-profile cases. As the former minister remains in EFCC custody, the investigation is likely to shed more light on the intricate details of the alleged corruption and forgery associated with the Mambilla hydropower project. Infostride News will continue to monitor the developments in this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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