FEC Directed Agunloye To Withdraw Award Of Contract-Witness In Alleged $6bn Mambilla Power Fraud

FEC directed Agunloye to withdraw award of contract-witness in alleged $6bn Mambilla power fraud. The Third Prosecuting Witness, PW3, Umar Hussein Babangida in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 restated before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja that Agunloye was directed by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw the memo of award of Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, the witness, an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, disclosed that FEC never asked the defendant to reduce the approval to 10 per cent government equity participation but rather directed him to withdraw the award memo.

Asked if he had come across an opinion letter contained in “Exhibit EFCC 3s” by a former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN to the Federal Government for the revival of the contract award to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited because of its legal implications, the witness dismissed it as the opinion of the former Attorney General of the Federation.

He dismissed in the same manner, the legal opinion of another former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN to the then President Muhammadu Buhari, dated May 20, 2016 that supported that of Aondoakaa on the Mambilla Hydro Electric Power project.

Asked if he knew in 2012 that there were terms of settlement that were entered in respect of the award of contract to Sunshine Power Transmission Ltd between the Minister of Power and Attorney of the Federation and two others, he was, however, overruled by the court following an objection to it by the prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN.

EFCC

Asked if he was aware of the law on the privatization of various aspects of power supply chain and to cite any law that mandates agencies of the federal government to obtain FEC approval before issuing contract awards, the prosecution counsel, again, objected to the question, describing it as “hypothetical, not factual and in the realm of speculation.”

He further stated that it violated Section 128 of Evidence Act, noting that “This report doesn’t not make reference to any law.” The witness, he added, “should not be made to quote laws.”

The court adjourned the matter till Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity

February 17, 2026

EFCC Arrests Two Over Alleged N35.3m Investment Fraud In Enugu

EFCC arrests two over alleged N35.3m investment fraud in Enugu. Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested the duo of Samuel Inalegwu Okpala and Ezelibe Emmanuel Nzube for allegedly conspiring with one Chibuike VincentDePaul Izundu (at large), to defraud thirty-two (32) victims the sum of N35, 395. 000 (Thirty-five Million, Three hundred and Ninety-five Thousand naira) through fake investment.

They were arrested based on the claims of petitioners that alleged that they were lured into investing the said sum by representatives of Paybeta Digital Limited, a company linked to Izundu, the primary suspect.

According to the petitioners, the representatives of the company claimed they were dealers in recharge cards, electricity, DSTV and GOTV subscriptions. The petitioners said that they were convinced to invest in the said company, after which they would be offered 15% to 80% return on investment, depending on the duration of their investments.

“Immediately they collected the money, they ran away and all efforts made to recover our money have proved abortive”, the petitioners alleged.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Izundu connived with Okpala to defraud the petitioners, using Okpala’s account (RFB Global Resources Nigeria Limited). Upon the arrest of Okpala, a bank’s token was found in his possession meant to be delivered to Nzube as directed by Izundu, the principal suspect at large.

EFCC

Further investigations revealed incriminating messages in Okpala and Nzube’s mobile phones, linking them to Izundu’s fraudulent activities. It was also discovered that Nzube was equally into internet fraud , specializing in romance scams.

The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity

February 17, 2026

Stepping Out In Support: NAFOWA President Leads Members To Honour Past Chief Of Air Staff

Stepping Out in Support: NAFOWA President leads members to honour past Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and Past NAFOWA President Arc Dr Rakiya Abubakar at Grand Fly-Out Parade.

The Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) added a poignant touch of colour and camaraderie to the grand Flying-Out Parade held in honour of the immediate past Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar (Rtd), on Saturday, 14 February 2026.

NAFOWA President Leads Members To Honour Past Chief Of Air Staff

Leading the association’s delegation to the ceremony at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja, was the NAFOWA National President.w2