$6bn fraud: Court delays ruling on Agunloye’s medical trip July 17

$6bn fraud: Court delays ruling on Agunloye’s medical trip July 17

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, opposed the application of a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, to travel abroad for a medical check-up.

This was following an application filed by Agunloye’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, which prayed the court to allow him to travel overseas for medical examination.

Attached to his application were a report from the University College Hospital, NISA Premier Hospital, a letter of review of a medical report from the Federal Road Safety Corps, and an invitation from a foreign medical analyst requesting him to quickly travel abroad for medical evaluation and attention.

Agunloye is facing seven counts bordering on fraudulent Mambilla Power Project contract award to the tune of $6bn.

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He was arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja in January 2024.

A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, noted that Adedipe reminded the court about his pending application at the proceedings on Monday.

But the prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed, told the court that a counter-affidavit was written and filed by Hussain Babangida, a prosecution witness and an investigator with the EFCC.

Mohammed urged the court to refuse the application on the ground that Agunloye could be a flight risk, having demonstrated an 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,” the statement read.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter till July 17, 2024, for ruling.

$6bn fraud: Court delays ruling on Agunloye’s medical trip July 17