Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Former Nigerian Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, has filed a motion to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC)'s powers to prosecute him for alleged $6 billion in contract fraud. The EFCC alleged that Agunloye illegally awarded a contract for the construction of a 3,960 MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station without any budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing. Agunloye was also alleged to have corruptly received a kickback of N3.6 million from the company he awarded the contract to. The defendant, who also served as a Minister of State for Defence, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge against him. At the resumed proceedings, the 76-year-old defendant queried the EFCC's powers to try him over the alleged offenses, arguing that the agency was bereft of both the investigative and prosecutorial powers under Sections 6, 7, and 46 of the EFCC Act, 2004 to initiate the case against him.

The Senate has mandated the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to investigate a multi-billion shoreline contract awarded in 2006 to address the sea incursions affecting the Ayetoro Community in Ondo State. The committees will work with relevant ministries to find an alternative solution to the dangerous slide. The Upper Chamber has also requested Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, and other oil companies to help save lives and improve the community through their corporate social responsibility (CRS). The Ayetoro community accounts for 5.4% of Nigeria's crude oil production output and has been affected by sea incursions for over two decades. The NDDC attempted to stem the slide by awarding a shoreline protective wall to Gallet Nigeria Limited in 2004, but the contract was revoked in 2009 due to capacity issues. The senator is concerned that Ayetoro is on the verge of being completely lost to the sea if nothing is done urgently.