The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has modified seven counts of charges against former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, and has put forth additional evidence.
Agunloye is currently facing prosecution by the EFCC before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja.
The charges involve allegations of official corruption and the fraudulent awarding of the Mambilla Power Project contract valued at $6 billion.
During the most recent court session, prosecution counsel Abba Muhammad, SAN, directed the court’s attention to the amendments made in the seven counts and the additional evidence submitted against the defendant.
He requested that the court allow the defendant to enter a plea in light of these amendments. However, defence counsel Adeola Adedipe, SAN, opposed the inclusion of the amendments, asserting that the day’s agenda was intended for the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness (PW2), Adewale Agunbiade.
In response, the prosecution established its authority to amend charges against any defendant at any stage of the trial before judgment, referencing Section 216(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Although the defence did not dispute this right, they argued that a formal leave of the court should be sought before introducing the amendments, citing Section 218(2) of the same ACJA.
After considering both arguments, Justice Onwuegbuzie ruled that a formal application for the amendment of the charges should be submitted by the prosecution, allowing the defence counsel to respond at the next adjourned date, which is set for November 11, 2024.
