By Milcah Tanimu

Former Minister Kanu Agunloye is seeking the intervention of key legal figures, including Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Yakubu Maikyau, former Minister of Justice Kanu Agabi, and Joseph Daudu, in response to alleged $6 billion fraud accusations against him.

Agunloye is contesting the authority of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him for charges related to the Mambilla power plant before an FCT High Court.

The charges against Agunloye, who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, include forgery, disobedience of presidential orders, and corruption.

The EFCC alleges that Agunloye awarded a contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company for the construction of the 3,960 MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station without necessary budgetary provisions, approvals, or financial backing.

The prosecution claims to have traced questionable payments from Sunrise Power to the former minister’s accounts, to which Agunloye has pleaded not guilty.

During a recent court hearing, the prosecuting counsel informed the court of two motions filed by Agunloye, one seeking to vary his bail conditions and the other presenting a preliminary objection to the charge. The prosecution filed counter affidavits to these motions.

However, Agunloye’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, disclosed that he had filed a new motion requesting the court to invite amicus curiae (friends of the court) to participate in the hearing of the preliminary objection.