$6bn fraud: Ex-minister Agunloye released from Kuje prison

A former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, has been released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

It was gathered that Agunloye regained freedom after meeting up with his bail condition on Friday, January 19, 2024.

The former minister’s release was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Adamu Duza.

An FCT High Court had, on January 11, granted Agunloye a bail in the sum of N50 million.

Agunloye was charged with seven counts bordering on forgery, disobedience of presidential order, and corruption in the suit marked FCT/HC/CR/617/22 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former minister, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

Ruling on Agunloye’s bail application, the presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, declared that Agunloye placed enough facts before the court for it to be granted bail.

The judge added that bail is meant to ensure a defendant is present in court to face trial.

Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the court was favourable disposed to grant bail to the former minister and subsequently granted Agunloye bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must be persons of means and repute who possess landed property worth N300 million and must deposit photocopies of the documents of the property as well as their passports with the court.

The judge added that the sureties must also be residents of Abuja, saying their residences would be verified by the registrar of the court.

Justice Onwuegbuzie further ordered Agunloye to drop his international passport with the court and must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.

The Star