RismadarVoice Reporters
November 11, 2026
Former Minister of Power and Steel, Liyel Imoke, has maintained that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) did not approve the award of the controversial $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
Imoke asserted on Wednesday while concluding his cross-examination before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja.
He is the sixth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, who faces an amended seven-count charge involving allegations of official corruption and irregularities in the award of the contract.
Under questioning by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Imoke clarified his earlier testimony concerning the adoption of minutes from the May 21, 2003 Federal Executive Council meeting.
The former minister explained that he was sworn into office on July 15, 2003, correcting an earlier reference to August.
He told the court that a review of his records showed he participated in a July 2003 FEC meeting during which the minutes of the May 21 meeting were adopted.
However, he observed that the proceedings of the 17th FEC meeting were not included in the exhibits before the court.
Imoke also explained the distinction between extracts of council decisions and the complete conclusions of FEC meetings.
According to him, extracts are ordinarily forwarded to ministries directly affected by specific decisions, while complete council conclusions are maintained and distributed through offices under the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The witness was subsequently shown Exhibits EFCC 3K and EFCC 3D, relating to correspondence from the Ministry of Power and records of the FEC meeting.
He maintained that the documents were substantially the same in content and form.
When questioned about whether he had proposed awarding contracts through a build-operate-transfer arrangement or outright purchase during his tenure, Imoke said he could not recall.
Following the conclusion of cross-examination, prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, requested an adjournment to address issues arising from the defence’s questioning.
Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently adjourned proceedings until November 19, 2026, for re-examination of the witness.
Agunloye, who served as Minister of Power and Steel between 2002 and 2003, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The question of whether the contract received the required government approval remains central to the prosecution’s case.
The proceedings are ongoing, and the court has not delivered a final judgment on the criminal allegations.
