Mambilla Project: FEC Never Approved $6bn Sunrise Contract, Imoke Tells Court
Former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) never approved the award of the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited.
Imoke made the disclosure on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, while testifying as the Sixth Prosecution Witness in the corruption trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie at the FCT High Court, Apo.
The former minister is facing an amended seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged official corruption and fraudulent award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited during his tenure between 2002 and 2003.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Imoke maintained his position that the contract award was invalid because it was not approved by the Federal Executive Council.
The witness also clarified his participation in the Council’s meetings, explaining that he was sworn in on July 15, 2003, and not August as earlier stated.
According to him, he attended the July 2003 FEC meeting where the minutes of the 16th Council meeting of May 21, 2003, were adopted.
He, however, noted that the proceedings of the 17th FEC meeting were not included in the exhibit file before the court.
Addressing questions on the difference between FEC meeting extracts and the full conclusions of the Council, Imoke explained that extracts were sent to ministries directly affected by particular memoranda, while the complete Council conclusions were kept and circulated through offices under the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The prosecution witness also examined two documents tendered as Exhibits EFCC 3K and EFCC 3D, relating to correspondence from the Ministry of Power on the FEC meeting conclusions and extracts.
He confirmed that the two documents were the same in substance and form.
On whether he had, as Minister, recommended that contracts be awarded under the Build, Operate and Transfer arrangement or through outright purchase, Imoke told the court that he could not remember.
At the conclusion of the cross-examination, EFCC prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, sought an adjournment to respond to fresh issues raised during the proceedings.
The trial judge, Justice Onwuegbuzie, adjourned the matter until November 19, 2026, for re-examination of witnesses.
