Court rejects ex-minister Agunloye’s ask for medical travel

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting him over specific violations concerning the $ 6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station in Taraba.

Agunloyewho worked as a minister in the administration of previous President Olusegun Obasanjois being prosecuted by EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Government, before Justice Jude OnwuegbuzieHe was charged in the fit, significant FCT/HC/CR/ 617/22, with a seven-count charge verging on forgery, disobedience of governmental order and corruption.

He was declared to have, to name a few, on May 22, 2003, granted an agreement entitled “Construction of 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station” on construct, run and move basis to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited with no monetary arrangement, approval and money support.

The prosecution likewise declared that it traced some suspicious payments made by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited to the previous minister's accounts. The accused, nevertheless, pleaded innocent to the charge.

Providing a judgment, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, held that the offender stopped working to adduce enough proof to reveal that his condition might not be dealt with by a medical facility in Nigeria. He for that reason dismissed his application to take a trip abroad for medical treatment.

The judge consequently, adjourned up until September 23 for the extension of the trial. On January 11, Agunloye was arraigned on a seven-count charge verging on deceptive award of agreement and main corruption.

The court confessed him to bail in the amount of 50 million. The court likewise took his passport as one of the bail conditions. Agunloye, through his counsel, Adeola AdedipeSAN, had actually requested the release of his passport to allow him to take a trip. At the last adjourned date, Adedipe stated his customer required immediate medical attention abroad.

A few of the files tendered by the defence legal representative consisted of medical reports from University College Hospital, Ibadan and the NISA Premier Hospital, Abuja.

The accused likewise consisted of a letter from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and an invite from a foreign medical expert requesting him to take a trip abroad for an immediate medical assessment.

The application was opposed by the EFCC which declared the previous minister was a flight danger, having amply showed objection to present himself for trial up until he was stated desired.

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