Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has declined to hear the preliminary objection by former Minister of Power, Dr Olu Agunloye, challenging the power of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him on the alleged 6 billion dollars Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station fraud.

The judge held that the application needed to be ripe for hearing. He subsequently adjourned the matter till February 26, 2024.

In the preliminary objection, Agunloye seeks an order prohibiting the EFCC from further prosecuting the instant charge against him.

He also said the charges' alleged offences were on his activities as a public officer, where he was alleged to have awarded the contract without budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.

He further said that another of the charges involved alleged disobedience of the directives of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and forgery of a letter dated May 22, 2003

READ ASLO: Ex-Minister Agunloye Remanded In Kuje Prison Over Alleged $6bn Mambilla Hydropower Fraud

Olu Agunloye was arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on the fraudulent award of a contract and official corruption in January 2024.