The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released a former minister of power and steel Olu Agunloye on bail.
On December 12, Mr Agunloye was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency over alleged fraud. He is facing questions about his role in the $6 billion Mambila hydropower contract.
Agunloye, a former boss of the Federal Road Safety Corps, reported to the EFCC on December 13 and was detained.
However, on Wednesday, the agency released Agunloye to a senior advocate of Nigeria, Adeola Adedipe.
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed the ex-minister’s release to PUNCH.
EFCC declared Olu Agunloye wanted when he wasn’t even on the run – Soyinka
Former minister Olu Agunloye in EFCC custody – Ex-diplomat
“Yes, you’re right, Mr. Agunloye has been released by the commission,” he said.
The newspaper said it gathered that Agunloye would be arraigned in court in January 2024 on charges of official corruption and forgery to the tune of N6bn.
Agunloye was a minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government (1999-2003).
He has since been at the centre of the controversy about the Mambilla project.
He was accused by Obasanjo of illegally awarding the project’s contract without the Federal Executive Council’s consent, an allegation he denies.
