The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a former Minister of Power and Steel,Olu Agunloye, in Kuje prison.

Agunloye, who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre by trial Justice Donatus Okorowo, after he was docked before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his alleged complicity in fraud.

The defendant, who had also served as a Minister of State for Defence, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court directed that he should remain in custody, pending the determination of his bail application.

On December 13, 2023, Agunloye was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency over alleged fraud.

 

The commission which posted the wanted declaration on its official Facebook page had urged Nigerians who knew the whereabouts of Agunloye to report to the nearest police station or inform the EFCC.

 

SaharaReporters had also reported how the anti-corruption kept mute on the offer made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to testify against an ex-Minister of Power and Steel,

 

While confirming to SaharaReporters how the former minister was granted bail, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale refused to comment on Obasanjo’s willingness to give his testimony in the alleged fraud case.

 

“I am talking about Agunloye’s release. I am not talking about Obasanjo. You asked me about his release and I have answered you. No other thing,” the EFCC spokesperson told SaharaReporters when he was asked if the agency would be willing to accept the former president’s offer.