Malabu Oil Deal: I only facilitated dispute settlement, says Adoke

Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke

A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), on Monday said his involvement in the $1.09billion Malabu Oil Block deal was only that of a facilitator.

The ex-minister said he facilitated amicable settlement of dispute between two parties because of its implications on the nation’s economy.

He said his role was “without any personal gain to himself or to any other person.”

Adoke insisted that the Terms of Settlement, upon which the Consent Judgment was predicated, were executed as far back as November 30, 2006.

He said his intervention in the dispute was motivated by the need to avoid a colossal cost to the Federal Government as awarded by the courts.

The ex-minister said he has a copy of a presidential approval directing that Malabu be paid the sum of $ 1,092,040,000 from the Escrow Account with J.P. Morgan.

Adoke made these disclosures in an affidavit in support of his originating summons in a matter he filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The ex-minister in the suit asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to declare his ongoing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on account of carrying out the lawful directives of the former President as illegal, null and void.

The federal government had seized Malabu Oil Block from four oil giants pending the conclusion of investigation and trial of those implicated in the deal.

The oil firms are Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO), Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.  

 



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