The political and legal troubles surrounding former Minister of Power and Steel Development, Dr. Olu Agunloye, have deepened as new allegations emerge linking him to fraudulent activities within the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he currently serves as National Secretary.
Already facing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly awarding a $6 billion Mambila Hydro Power contract illegally to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, Agunloye now stands accused of conspiring with a private law firm, AI Law Practice, to issue fake party appointments—appointments not sanctioned by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
In a public statement, the SDP distanced itself from such actions, clearly disowning Dr. Ugochukwu Uba and others recently announced as party officials. According to the party, Uba is not even a registered member of the SDP in his ward. The party emphasized that all official communications or appointments must be endorsed by both the National Chairman and Secretary, as confirmed by a response from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to AI Law Practice.
Adding to the controversy, Agunloye reportedly wrote directly to INEC, inviting them to observe a so-called NWC meeting—another move INEC invalidated, stating that all such correspondences must be jointly signed by the party’s top two executives.
The Vanguard for Probity and Accountability has condemned Agunloye’s alleged actions as deceptive and damaging to the integrity of the SDP. The group accused him of misusing his position to further personal agendas, despite being under prosecution for what could be one of Nigeria’s most expensive corruption cases.
Meanwhile, during the latest court session on June 16, 2025, the third prosecution witness, Umar Babangida, told Justice J.O. Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court that Agunloye’s successor, Senator Liyel Imoke, confirmed the controversial contract had never been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Imoke reportedly wrote to Sunrise Power advising them to prepare for a formal bidding process, which never happened under his watch until he left office in 2006.
The court proceedings grew tense as the defence objected to the prosecution citing EFCC investigative reports not formally tendered in court. The judge has scheduled July 7, 2025, to rule on the admissibility of such testimony and set further hearings for July 10 and 16.
As the case unfolds, many Nigerians are watching closely—some with outrage, others with hope that justice, transparency, and political integrity will finally prevail.
