Mambilla $6bn Fraud Trial: Imoke Insists Sunrise Contract Award Was Invalid
The former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, has reiterated that the award of the $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited was invalid.
Imoke, who appeared as the Sixth Prosecution Witness (PW6) in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, made the clarification on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.
Agunloye is standing trial on an amended seven-count charge bordering on alleged official corruption and fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract worth $6 billion to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited during his tenure as Minister of Power and Steel between 2002 and 2003.
During proceedings, Imoke maintained that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) did not approve the contract award to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited, insisting that the process was invalid.
Responding to questions from defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, the witness clarified that he was sworn in on July 15, 2003, contrary to an earlier reference to August.
He further disclosed that he participated in the July 2003 FEC meeting where the minutes of the 16th Council meeting held on May 21, 2003, were adopted.
However, he pointed out that the proceedings of the 17th FEC meeting were not contained in the exhibit file presented before the court.
Explaining the distinction between extracts of FEC meetings and the full conclusions of the Council, Imoke said extracts were usually forwarded to the relevant ministries concerning specific memoranda, while the complete Council conclusions were maintained and distributed through offices under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The witness was also shown Exhibits EFCC 3K and EFCC 3D, containing letters from the Ministry of Power forwarding the FEC meeting conclusions and extracts. He told the court that both documents were the same in substance and form.
When asked whether he had proposed during his tenure as Minister that contracts should be awarded through the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement or outright purchase, Imoke said he could not recall.
Following the conclusion of the cross-examination, prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, requested an adjournment to enable him to address new issues raised during the proceedings.
Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently adjourned the case until November 19, 2026, for the re-examination of witnesses.
