The former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, has been remanded in Kuje Prison on the order of an Abuja High Court.
He was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center by trial Justice Donatus Okorowo, following his arraignment before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over his alleged involvement in fraud.
The defendant, who had also served as a Minister of State for Defence, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The court directed that he should remain in custody, pending the determination of his bail application.
It will be recalled that the EFCC declared Agulonye wanted in connection with a $6 billion power scheme involving the Mambilla hydropower project.
Agunloye, who was a minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government between 1999 and 2003, has been fingered in the controversy about the Mambilla power project, especially by Obasanjo, who accused him of illegally awarding the scheme with approval by the Federal Executive Council.
However, Agunloye has denied any wrongdoing in the project and said that Obasanjo was merely distorting information against him.
