RismadarVoice Reporters
February 19, 2026
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, on Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, that the ex-minister admitted knowing the owner of Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited before his appointment as minister.
The witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the third prosecution witness (PW3), made the disclosure before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
Agunloye is being prosecuted on an amended seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and the alleged fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, the witness was asked whether the former minister knew Leno Adesanya, the owner of Sunrise Power, prior to his appointment as Minister of Power.
Responding, Babangida said, “Yes, my lord, it is contained on the right side of page 4, line 11 of the statement.”
He then read from Agunloye’s extra-judicial statement to the EFCC, dated May 16, 2023, and marked Exhibit 3O. According to the witness, the defendant stated: “I have known Leno Adesanya or rather I know of him before I became minister. I have never met him before he came to the ministry in 2002 to push for the Mambilla project which started in 2000.”
When asked whether he personally knew the defendant outside official duties, the witness responded in the negative, explaining that his knowledge of Agunloye was strictly in the course of his investigative responsibilities.
Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently adjourned the matter to March 11, 12, and 16, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
