Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has criticized the decision to detain former Minister of Power and Steel, Mr Olu Agunloye, in Kuje Correctional Centre. Agunloye appeared in court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to corruption charges.
However, Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court ordered that he be remanded in Kuje Correctional Center until bail is granted. Soyinka, in a statement released to Channels Television, expressed concern about Agunloye’s safety, suggesting that there may be individuals who want to harm him, similar to the fate of late former Minister of Justice, Bola Ige, who was assassinated in 2001.
Soyinka emphasized the need for caution and highlighted the unresolved nature of Ige’s murder, which he believes is connected to the Mambilla scam. He also mentioned Agunloye’s collaboration with him in uncovering Ige’s killers, making it crucial to ensure Agunloye’s safety. The decision to remand him in prison, according to Soyinka, makes it easier for those desperate forces to carry out their intentions.
The Nobel Laurette has called for the establishment of an impartial and independent commission to thoroughly investigate the expanding scandal that has severely affected the energy needs of a nation with a population of two hundred million people over the past two decades. This call emphasizes the importance of conducting public hearings to delve into the matter in-depth. The recent development in this scandal is both alarming and ominous.
Furthermore, the Nobel Laurette has made it clear that if any harm befalls the key witness while in custody, the implications will be unmistakable and widely understood. This statement underscores the significance of ensuring the safety and protection of the witness throughout the investigation process.
In December 2023, the EFCC declared Agunloye wanted on charges of forgery and corruption. The Commission released a statement and shared it on their website, displaying the former minister’s image and urging the public to provide any information that could lead to his arrest.
Following the EFCC’s alert, Agunloye was promptly apprehended and detained. It has been revealed that the former minister, who served during President Olusegun Obasanjo‘s administration from 1999 to 2003, is being interrogated in relation to the Mambilla project.
President Obasanjo had accused Agunloye of unlawfully awarding the project’s contract without the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). However, Agunloye vehemently denied these allegations and asserted that the former president was distorting the facts surrounding the situation.
