A prosecution witness on Monday told an Abuja court that Dr. Olu Agunloye, former Minister of Power and Steel, did not exceed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s financial directive in recommending Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) for the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power project.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Umar Babangida, the third prosecution witness (PW3), said Obasanjo had directed that no minister approve contracts exceeding N25 million without written presidential consent, a guideline Agunloye adhered to.

Babangida explained that both SPTCL and Tafag Nigeria Limited were instructed to operate under the same parameters, with government participation capped at 25% and tariffs not exceeding prevailing thermal plant rates. He confirmed that Agunloye’s recommendation aligned with the presidential directive and that the Federal Executive Council supported the project.

Agunloye, facing seven amended charges of disobeying presidential directives, conspiracy, forgery, and receiving gratification related to the alleged $6 billion fraud, has pleaded not guilty. The EFCC’s cross-examination of PW3 was adjourned until Wednesday by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.