Alleged $6bn Fraud: ‘He Is A Flight Risk’, EFCC Opposes Agunloye’s Application For Overseas Medical Trip

Ayuba Sanusi 

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) earlier today Monday, 1 July 2024 opposed the application of the former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye to travel abroad for a medical check-up.

Dr Agunloye is facing prosecution by the EFCC before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of a  Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja on seven-count charges bordering on alleged fraudulent Mambilla Power Project contract award to the tune of Six Billion US Dollars (of $6,000,000,000.00)

At today’s proceedings, Dr Agunloye, through his counsel, Adeola Adedikpe (SAN), drew the attention of the court to his application for leave to travel overseas for medical examination. Attached to his application were documents marked Exhibit A to E, which included a report from University College Hospital, NISA Premier Hospital, a letter of review of a medical report from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and an invitation from a foreign medical analyst, requesting him to quickly travel abroad for medical evaluation and attention.

In response, prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, presented a counter-affidavit written and filed by Hussain Babangida, a prosecution witness and an investigator with the EFCC, in which the court was urged to refuse the application on the ground that Dr Agunloye could be a flight risk, having amply demonstrated unwillingness to present himself for trial until he was declared wanted.

“This is our written address and we rely on all the resolutions in the counter-affidavit and we adopt the same with the exhibit attached. We are expecting our noble lord to dismiss the defendant’s application on the credit of the complainant’s counter affidavit,” he said. 

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter till 17 July 2024 to rule on the application. 

Eighteen-Eleven Media