The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Monday opposed the application of a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye to travel abroad for medical check-up.

Agunloye is being prosecuted by the EFCC on seven counts bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambila Power Project contract to the tune of $6 billion (six billion US dollars).

Justice Jude Onwueguzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, in Apo, Abuja on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, dismissed a preliminary objection brought by Agunloye, challenging the powers of the EFCC to prosecute him

Also on February 8, 2024, Agunloye through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), filed a motion challenging the powers of the EFCC to investigate and prosecute him as well as that of the jurisdiction of the court to try him.

In response, prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed filed a counter-affidavit, dated February 22, 2024, where he dismissed Agunloye’s motion as incompetent and offensive to the provisions of Section 115(2) of the Evidence Act.

However, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Monday, June 10, 2024, the witness, Adebayo Ilori, while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, disclosed that multiple transfers were made in favour of Olu Agunloye by Jide Sotirin, an employee of Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd, according to a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC Head of Media & Publicity on Wednesday.

However, at Monday’s proceedings , Agunloye, through his counsel, Adeola Adedikpe, SAN, drew the attention of the court to his application for leave to travel overseas for medical examination. Attached to his application were documents marked Exhibit A to E, which included a report from University College Hospital, NISA Premier Hospital, a letter of review of medical report from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and an invitation from a foreign medical analyst, requesting him to quickly travel abroad for medical evaluation and attention.

In response, prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed presented a counter-affidavit written and filed by Hussain Babangida, a prosecution witness and an investigator with the EFCC, in which the court was urged to refuse the application on the ground that Agunloye could be a flight risk, having amply demonstrated unwillingness to present himself for trial until he was declared wanted.

“This is our written address and we rely on all the resolutions in the counter-affidavit and we adopt the same with the exhibit attached. We are expecting our noble lord to dismiss the defendant`s application on the credit of the complainant’s counter affidavit," he said. 

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter till July 17, 2024 for ruling on the matter.