JUSTICE Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, yesterday granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to amend the charges against former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, allowing him to enter his plea.
Agunloye is facing seven counts of official corruption and fraudulent awarding of the Mambilla Power Project contract, valued at $6 billion.
Prosecution Counsel Abba Mohammed (SAN) on July 1, 2024, brought the amended charges to the court’s attention, requesting that the court accept them and allow the defendant to plead, citing Sections 216 and 217 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
However, the EFCC stated that defense counsel Adeola Adedipe (SAN) objected to the plea, arguing that the court’s formal approval was required before the commission could amend its charges.
In response, the court instructed both parties to provide supporting legal authorities for their arguments.
The EFCC referenced the Court of Appeal’s decision in Bovoa v FRN & Anor (2017).
During the ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie stated that the amendment was not intended to prejudice the defendant or cause him injustice, affirming that a court may allow changes to charges at any time before a judgment is delivered.
In his final ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie dismissed the defendant’s counsel’s arguments, stating that the application was valid and granted as requested. The defendant was ordered to enter his plea on the amended charges.
The case has been adjourned to February 3, 2025, for the defendant to take his plea.