EL-RUFAI TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY AS COURT ADJOURNS BAIL APPLICATION TO APRIL 14.(PHOTO).

Image
 El-Rufai to remain in custody as court adjourns bail application to April 14 Justice Rilwanu Aikawa of a Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, to April 14th. The bail application of the former governor came up before the court today. April 1. The court adjourned the case after listening to arguments from both the defence and prosecution  El-Rufai was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The court ordered that he remain in ICPC custody pending the hearing of his bail application on the fixed date. The former governor arrived at the court premises around 9:00 a.m. in a black Hilux vehicle, accompanied by DSS officials.

ALLEGED $6BN MAMBILA POWER FRAUD: NO RECORD TO CONFIRM CHINA`S FINANCIAL AGENCIES WERE PART OF THE AGREEMENT - WITNESS. (PHOTO). #PRESS RELEASE



Alleged $6bn Mambila Power Fraud:  No Record to Confirm China`s Financial Agencies were part of the Agreement - Witness


The third prosecuting witness, PW3, Umar Hussein Babangida in the ongoing trial of a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye on Monday, January 19, 2026 told Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that he has not seen any record of agreement involving China’s financial agencies, ; Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, MOFTEC Limited and China Import Export Bank being part of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU,  for the contract award of Mambilla Power plant. 


Agunloye is facing trial on an amended seven-count charge, bordering on alleged official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion United States Dollars).


During Monday’s proceedings, Pw3,  Babangida,  while being cross- examined by defense counsel Adeola Adedipe, SAN, on Annexure 2 of Exhibit EFCC 3d,  stated that there was no record to show that MOFTEC and China Import Export bank are parties to the agreement of the MoU.  


He further stated that the basis of the recommendations included the acceptance of government participation of not more than 25% which was subject to  discussion at the Federal Executive Council meeting of May 21, 2003.


    


“Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd had proposed 35% government participation, while Tafag Nigeria limited proposed 25% government participation and the then President directed that government participation should not be more than 25% for both companies, so 25% became a subject for deliberation at the FEC meeting” he said


He further confirmed that when the MoU was presented during the FEC meeting, members of the FEC supported the memorandum, adding that at the time of presentation of the MoU, N6bn had been allocated already for the takeoff of the project.


While reading the then President`s comment on the MoU, Babangida said “Minister: approved.  Please,  give the two same parameters i.e Federal Government  participation not more than 25%. Tariff not higher than prevailing tariff of thermal plant”


Just Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to Wednesday, January 21, 2026 for continuation of cross examination.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

INNOSON GIVES OUT BRAND NEW IVM G5 AND SALARY FOR LIFE TO THE MAN WHO PROPHESIED ABOUT HIS VEHICLE MANUFACTURING IN 1979.(PHOTO).

SHAKIRA COVERS WOMEN'S HEALTH MAGAZINE,APRIL ISSUE.

TINUBU ANNOUNCES ARRIVAL OF 4 U.S ATTACK HELICOPTERS. (PHOTO).