The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, opposed an application by former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, to travel abroad for a medical check-up.
Agunloye is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC on seven counts related to the fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract, amounting to $6 billion.
The case is being heard by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja.
During the proceedings, Agunloye’s counsel, Adeola Adedikpe, SAN, highlighted the application requesting permission for Agunloye to travel overseas for medical reasons.
The application included documents marked Exhibits A to E, which featured a report from University College Hospital, NISA Premier Hospital, a letter reviewing the medical report from the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and an invitation from an international medical analyst urging immediate overseas travel for medical evaluation and care.
Prosecution counsel Abba Mohammed opposed the request by presenting a counter-affidavit written and filed by Hussain Babangida, an EFCC investigator and prosecution witness. The affidavit urged the court to deny the application, arguing that Agunloye posed a flight risk due to his previous reluctance to attend 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.