A courtroom session in Abuja turned lively as a prosecution witness disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is prepared to appear before any legal or arbitration panel to clarify issues surrounding the controversial Mambilla Power Project contract.
Former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, is currently standing trial on a revised seven-count charge for alleged corruption and the disputed award of the multibillion-dollar Mambilla contract, valued at about $6 billion.
His case, which has drawn national attention, continued before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, Apo.
Umar Hussein Babangida, testifying as Prosecution Witness Three, explained under cross-examination that Obasanjo had formally communicated his willingness to testify.
According to him, a letter dated November 27, 2023, was sent by the former president to the Attorney General of the Federation, stating that he was ready to speak on the matter whenever national interest demanded it.
Babangida added that Obasanjo “made it clear he had nothing to hide on Mambilla and would gladly clarify what happened during his tenure.”
Further into his testimony, Babangida referenced a separate letter from April 7, 2003, written by Agunloye to then-President Obasanjo.
The letter suggested that Sunrise Power and Transmission Company be considered for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station.
According to the witness, Obasanjo did not object at the time but instructed that the proposal be taken before the Federal Executive Council to compare it with other energy options, including a coal-fired plant projected to generate up to 5,000 megawatts.
Questions about a possible personal rift between Obasanjo and Agunloye arose during the session, but Babangida insisted he could not recall any such claim.
He explained that his responses were based strictly on documented answers provided by the former president during interrogation.
Babangida concluded by stressing Obasanjo’s consistent position on the issue.
“During the interview, he said he was aware discussions happened around Mambilla, but no approval was ever granted,” he stated.
He added that Obasanjo firmly denied awarding any contract to Sunrise Power during his administration, noting that no valid authorization existed for the controversial contract allegedly issued in May 2003.
The trial continues, with legal observers expecting Obasanjo’s testimony, if eventually taken, to shape the trajectory of a case that has lingered for nearly two decades in Nigeria’s energy narrative.