In a tangled web of accusations, the EFCC launches a manhunt for Sunrise Power and Transmission Limited’s promoter, Leno Adesanya, over alleged corrupt dealings in the $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station project.
This was as former President Buhari denied any involvement in settlement negotiations with Sunrise Power and Transmission Limited.
The EFCC took to its official Twitter handle, #OfficialEFCC, on Wednesday, to issue a wanted notice featuring Adesanya’s photograph.
According to the notice, Adesanya, 66, hails from the Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State, with his last known address at 26, Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The commission appealed to the public to provide any useful information regarding his whereabouts to any of its agency offices across the country.
Adesanya’s name surfaced in corruption charges alongside former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, who was arraigned by the EFCC on January 10 for an alleged $6bn fraud linked to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station project.
Agunloye, who served as minister from 1999 to 2003 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, faces seven counts bordering on fraudulent contract awards and official corruption.
Among the charges, the EFCC alleged that Agunloye awarded a contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station without proper approval or budgetary provision, violating Section 22(4) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Agunloye is also accused of corruptly receiving N3.6m from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited and Leno Adesanya without the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
Meanwhile, Sunrise Power has taken legal action against the Federal Government, seeking $2.3bn in compensation for breach of contract at the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, France.
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari have denied authorizing Agunloye or any settlement agreement with Sunrise Power regarding the Mambilla hydroelectric power project, further complicating the legal landscape surrounding the case.
Despite Adesanya’s declaration as wanted for “alleged conspiracy and corrupt offers to public officers,” former President Buhari vehemently refuted authorizing any settlement agreement with Sunrise Power, contradicting claims surrounding the $2.3bn demand.
