RismadarVoice Reporters
October 19, 2026
Former Cross River State Governor and ex-Minister of Power, Liyel Imoke, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) did not approve the memorandum recommending the award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
Imoke disclosed on Monday while testifying as the sixth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie in Apo, Abuja.
Agunloye is standing trial on an amended seven-count charge involving allegations of official corruption and irregularities surrounding the proposed $6 billion power project contract.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, Imoke explained that he succeeded Agunloye as Minister of Power in August 2003 and served until November 2006.
He told the court that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) questioned him over a letter he wrote to Sunrise Power on September 3, 2003, concerning the proposed project.
According to Imoke, the company had requested payment for a contract it claimed had been awarded for the construction of the hydroelectric facility.
The former minister said he examined the relevant official records, including extracts from the minutes of a Federal Executive Council meeting.
He testified that the records showed the council had directed Agunloye to withdraw the memorandum and invite additional proposals to allow further negotiations and consideration of alternative investment arrangements.
Imoke maintained that the council’s decision informed his response to Sunrise Power’s payment request.
During proceedings, he identified his statement to the EFCC dated May 24, 2023, which was admitted as Exhibit EFCC 3Q.
He also identified a September 3, 2003 letter addressed to Sunrise Power, admitted as Exhibit EFCC 3, Annexure C.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Imoke was asked why he had not cancelled the contract after discovering that it allegedly lacked FEC approval.
He responded that cancellation was unnecessary because, according to his understanding of the records, the council had never approved the contract.
The testimony forms part of the prosecution’s case concerning the circumstances surrounding the proposed Mambilla project award.
Agunloye has not been convicted of the allegations, which remain subject to judicial determination.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned proceedings until November 2, 4, 9 and 11, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
