In the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, the third prosecution witness (PW3), Umar Hussein Babangida, told a Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, that Agunloye admitted in his extrajudicial statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he knew the owner of Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited, Leno Adesanya, prior to his ministerial appointment.
Agunloye faces prosecution on an amended seven count charge over alleged corruption and the fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Babangida confirmed that the former minister acknowledged in his EFCC statement, dated May 16, 2023 and marked Exhibit 30, that he knew of Adesanya before assuming office. He reportedly stated, “I have known Leno Adesanya or rather I know of him before I became minister. I have never met him before he came to the ministry in 2002 to push for the Mambilla project which started in 2000.”
When questioned about personal knowledge of Agunloye, Babangida said he did not know him personally and that his familiarity with the former minister arose solely in the course of official duties.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned the trial to March 11, 12, and 16, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.