A former Minister of Power and Steel, Liyel Imoke, on Monday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) did not approve a memo recommending the award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

Imoke, the sixth prosecution witness in the trial of his successor, Olu Agunloye, said the council had directed that the memo be withdrawn and that further proposals be sought to explore investment options for the project.

Agunloye is standing trial on an amended seven-count charge bordering on alleged official corruption and fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla power project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited while he served as Minister of Power and Steel between 2002 and 2003.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, Imoke said he served as minister from August 2003 to November 2006, after succeeding Agunloye.

He told the court that he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2023 to explain a letter he wrote to Sunrise Power on September 3, 2003, concerning the company’s request for payment over the project.

Imoke said he reviewed the relevant file and found an extract of the FEC meeting minutes indicating that the council had directed Agunloye to withdraw his memo and invite more proposals to facilitate constructive negotiations and explore different investment options.

“I informed them that the Federal Executive Council did not approve the memo that was presented by the defendant recommending the award of contract for the construction of the Mambilla Hydro Electric Power Project to Sunrise,” he told the court, according to the EFCC.

The former minister said his letter to Sunrise was a response to the company’s enquiry and payment request concerning the project.

He was shown his statement to the EFCC, dated May 24, 2023, and admitted making it. He also identified the September 3, 2003 letter to Sunrise and confirmed that he wrote and signed it.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Imoke was asked why he did not cancel the contract after discovering that it had purportedly been awarded without FEC approval.

He responded that there was no need to cancel a contract that had not been approved by the council.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until November 2, 4, 9 and 11, 2026, for continuation of trial.