The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has opposed the application of the former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye to travel abroad for medical check-up.
Agunloye is being prosecuted by the EFCC on seven-count charges, of fraudulent Mambilla Power Project contract award to the tune of $6billion.
Trial judge in the matter is Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.
At Monday’s proceedings, Agunloye, through his counsel, Adeola Adedikpe, SAN, drew the attention of the court to his application for leave to travel overseas for medical examination. Attached to his application were documents marked Exhibit A to E, which include a report from University College Hospital, NISA Premier Hospital, a letter of review of medical report from the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and an invitation from a foreign medical analyst, requesting him to quickly travel abroad for medical evaluation and attention.
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In response, prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed presented a counter-affidavit written and filed by Hussain Babangida, a prosecution witness and an investigator with the EFCC, urging the court to refuse the application on the ground that Agunloye could be a flight risk, having amply demonstrated unwillingness to present himself for trial until he was declared wanted.
EFCC told the court, “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.
