$6Billion Mambilla Trial: EFCC Witness Admits Obasanjo Misled Attorney General, Gave Contradictory Statements on 2003 Contract

The Defence told PW3 that he would not have questioned the former President about the contract if Obasanjo had no knowledge of it. PW3 agreed that Obasanjo was aware of the 2003 contract.

The resumed hearing in the ongoing Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project trial on Monday, December 1, 2025, unfolded into a dramatic session as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) lead investigator, Mr. Umar Babangida (PW3), made a series of key admissions under cross-examination.

The exchanges revealed contradictions in former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s communications regarding the 2003 Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract and the role of former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr. Olu Agunloye.

Agunloye is standing trial on an amended seven-count charge filed by the EFCC, accusing him of official corruption and the fraudulent award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract, estimated at $6 billion.

The session formed part of PW3’s third day of cross-examination by Defence Counsel Adeola Adedipe (SAN), and quickly evolved into a detailed probing of Obasanjo’s involvement and written statements on the controversial project.

PW3 Confirms Agunloye Submitted the Required Memo

According to a report by Just News, during questioning, PW3 confirmed that Agunloye wrote a letter dated April 7, 2003 to then-President Obasanjo seeking approval to issue a letter to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company for the Mambilla project.

He also acknowledged that Obasanjo responded with: “No objection. Bring a Memo to the Federal Executive Council, including a comparison with a coal thermal power station.”

When asked by the Defence whether Agunloye complied with this directive, PW3 told the court, “Yes, he brought the Memo to the council with the comparison.”

Obasanjo’s Personal Interest and Vow to Testify

PW3 further admitted during cross-examination that he had interrogated Obasanjo in the course of the investigation. When asked whether Obasanjo indicated having any personal issues with Agunloye, PW3 responded: “No.”

The court session grew tense when the Defence referred to a letter dated December 27, 2023, in which Obasanjo told the Attorney General of the Federation that he was prepared to testify against Agunloye anywhere in the world.

PW3 initially said he was unaware of this letter, leading to exchanges between the two lawyers until the judge directed the witness to comply with court processes.

After being ordered to read portions of the letter, specifically from the bottom of page 3 to the first three lines of page 4, PW3 admitted that Obasanjo indeed vowed to testify against the former minister.

Witness Acknowledges Misleading Information Sent to the AGF

Another major point of contention arose when the Defence asked whether Obasanjo had misled the current Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

Prosecution Counsel Mohammed Abba (SAN) objected, accusing the Defence of using “psychological tactics,” but the court overruled the objection.

PW3 then confirmed that Obasanjo’s letter to the AGF stated that Agunloye did not send the required memo to the Federal Executive Council. This claim, PW3 admitted, was contrary to the EFCC’s own position and the evidence he had earlier tendered. He further acknowledged that Obasanjo’s letter distorted the facts.

The Defence argued that this distortion was intended to ensure that Agunloye was charged and arraigned “by all means” before the Attorney General.

Obasanjo Was Aware of the 2003 BOT Contract, PW3 Admits

Under continued cross-examination, PW3 stated that he did not personally inform Obasanjo about the 2003 Mambilla BOT contract or its relevance to the ongoing international arbitration in France. When asked why Obasanjo responded to certain investigative questions if he had no knowledge of the contract, PW3 said the former President responded based on the questions posed to him, mainly to confirm whether he gave approval and whether the minister had the authority to issue the letter of award.

The Defence told PW3 that he would not have questioned the former President about the contract if Obasanjo had no knowledge of it. PW3 agreed that Obasanjo was aware of the 2003 contract.

The Defence then pointed to an exhibit previously tendered by PW3 showing that Obasanjo had written to the Attorney General claiming he was not aware of the 2003 Mambilla contract.

The Defence described this as another attempt by the former President to mislead the authorities.

Following the intense exchanges, the judge halted the cross-examination to allow other matters to proceed and adjourned the trial to Wednesday, December 3, 2025.