EFCC

Alleged $6bn Mambila Power Fraud: Court Adjourns Till April 20

Published

7 months ago

March 31, 2026

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, has adjourned proceedings in the trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, until April 20, 2026.

The former minister is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and the alleged fraudulent award of the Mambila Power Project contract, valued at $6 billion, to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.

At Monday’s proceedings, the third prosecution witness (PW3), Umar Hussein Babangida, during re-examination by prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, clarified that the investigation team invited three former Attorneys-General of the Federation—Michael Aondoakaa, SAN; Abubakar Malami, SAN; and Kanu Agabi, SAN—who all volunteered statements.

He stated that Aondoakaa and Malami submitted written statements, while Agabi provided an oral statement.

Babangida further disclosed that Agabi told the investigating team he could not recall the details or outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the time, but advised that they rely on documents obtained from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

However, counsel to the defendant, Samuel Falade, objected to Babangida’s testimony, describing it as incompetent. He argued that the witness was presenting statements made by individuals who had not been called to testify and noted that Babangida had neither mentioned nor presented such evidence during his examination-in-chief, thereby introducing fresh matters.

In response, EFCC counsel referred to Section 215(3) of the Evidence Act, stating that re-examination is not limited to clarification alone.

“The position of the law is that re-examination shall be directed at explaining matters referred to during cross-examination, as confirmed by the Supreme Court in Aigbadion v. State (2000),” he said.

“My Lord, in that case, the Supreme Court held that re-examination goes beyond merely explaining matters raised. The Court of Appeal reaffirmed this position in Mohammed v. Gbugbu & Ors (2018) LPELR-44494 (CA), holding that re-examination provides an opportunity for a witness to state the whole truth on any matter not fully addressed during examination.”

He further argued that the witness had the right to clarify issues raised during cross-examination on February 17, 2026, particularly concerning the legal opinions of Malami and Aondoakaa, which were not part of his evidence-in-chief. He also referenced questions asked by the defence on November 24, 2025, regarding Kanu Agabi, stressing the need for the witness to address those matters.

He concluded that the re-examination was necessary to clarify issues arising from cross-examination.

Ruling on the objection, Justice Onwuegbuzie upheld the prosecution’s position and allowed the witness to continue his testimony.

Continuing, Babangida stated: “Mr Aondoakaa, SAN, said that if he had seen the conclusion of the FEC meeting, he would not have given his legal opinion. Malami, SAN, stated that he relied on the legal opinion of Mr Aondoakaa.”

Mohammed further asked: “During your cross-examination on March 11 and March 16, 2026, you were asked to confirm that Exhibits EFCC 3K and EFCC 3D are extracts of the FEC meeting of May 21, 2003. Please explain what an extract is.”

In response, Babangida explained: “Exhibit EFCC 3K is an extract containing only the deliberations on the Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project, based on the memo submitted by the defendant to the FEC. It includes deliberations, resolutions, and directives to the defendant.

“Exhibit EFCC 3D, on the other hand, contains deliberations of other ministries—before, during, and after that of the defendant’s ministry.”

After listening to the submissions, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until April 20, 2026, for continuation of trial.

EFCC

FBI Commends Olukoyede, EFCC for Support in Tackling Sextortion, Cybercrime

Published

4 days ago

October 28, 2026

Staff Editor

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, and the Commission for their efforts and vital role in Operation Artemis, a joint international effort to disrupt financially motivated sextortion networks targeting minors.

The commendation was conveyed in a letter signed by FBI Director Kash Patel, who praised the Commission for its collaboration with the Bureau in the arrest and extradition of suspects facing federal charges in the United States.

In the letter addressed to Olukoyede, Patel acknowledged the Commission’s contribution to the operation, stating that “the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has played a vital role in Operation Artemis, a joint effort focused on disrupting financially motivated sextortion rings targeting juveniles.”

He said that, under Olukoyede’s leadership, the EFCC designated personnel to support the investigations and facilitate the transfer of suspects from Nigeria to face prosecution in the United States.

Specifically, the FBI Director commended the EFCC for apprehending Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudashiru Afeez Olawale, who were indicted in the United States in 2023 over allegations relating to the sexual exploitation and extortion of minors.

The two suspects were extradited to the United States in August 2026, with the EFCC facilitating the process following investigations and extradition proceedings. They are facing federal charges relating to sexual exploitation in cases involving the deaths of minors.

Patel noted that the successful outcome of the cases would not have been possible without the EFCC’s assistance and commitment to international law enforcement cooperation.

“The successful outcome of these cases would not have been possible without your assistance and dedication to international law enforcement collaboration,” he said.

The FBI Director further expressed appreciation to Olukoyede and the Commission for their commitment to justice and continued cooperation, while expressing optimism about strengthening the partnership between both agencies.

“Please accept my sincere appreciation for your commitment to justice and steadfast cooperation. I look forward to the continued partnership with the EFCC,” he stated in the letter.

The extradition of Adekunle and Olawale followed FBI investigations into separate sextortion schemes targeting male minors in the United States. The investigations linked the alleged activities to two teenage victims who died by suicide after being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.

EFCC

EFCC Photo News

Published

4 days ago

October 28, 2026

Staff Editor

The Japanese Ambassador-Designate to Nigeria, His Excellency, Hideo Suzuki Paid a Courtesy Visit to the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede in his office today, October 28, 2026. He was accompanied on the visit by First Secretary, Security, Yuji Murakami and Senior Information Analyst, Dogara Ankut.

EFCC

₦2.7bn Fraud: Court Jails Former Banker for 39 Years

Published

4 days ago

October 28, 2026

Staff Editor

Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, sentenced a former banker, Christopher Jackson Edeh, to a total of 39 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a ₦2.7 billion fraud prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Edeh, who was arraigned on February 28, 2024, faced nine counts bordering on fraudulent false accounting and unauthorised access to a computer system.

The charges alleged that he altered the bank account details of several customers and government-related entities, including the Kano State Government Power Intervention Fund, NNPC Trading Limited, Stallion Vision Ltd, the Lagos State Government Blue Line, the State Contributory Pension Account and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, with intent to defraud.

During the trial, prosecuting counsel, Z. B. Atiku, called three witnesses and tendered several documents in evidence to establish the case against the defendant. The defence, in turn, called one witness.

In her judgment, Justice Abike-Fadipe held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted Edeh on all nine counts.

The court sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine on each of counts one to seven, bordering on fraudulent false accounting, and two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine on each of counts eight and nine, relating to unauthorised access to a computer system with intent to facilitate the commission of crimes.

The court ordered that all the sentences run concurrently.