By Silver Nwokoro
Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre has faulted Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on claim that the policy “summersault, litigation and dispute” surrounding Oil Prospecting Licence 245 (OPL 245) was driving investors away.
Accusing the minister of misleading the country, in a letter, signed and addressed yesterday to President Muhammadu Buhari by the chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the group cited what it called “the series of losses” that Nigeria has experienced in the oil facility.
The CSO accused Malami of “failing in his duty to provide President Buhari with facts to make an informed decision on the matter, and of being disrespectful to both the President and his office.”
HEDA urged the Nigerian leader to reject Malami’s advice to abandon the OPL 245 litigation.
It argued that abandoning the suit would send a signal that companies are insulated from prosecution and likely to interrupt significant, but corruptly obtained money flows.
The group maintained that this would be the opposite of United Nations Convention against Corruption’s (UNCAC) requirement.
The letter also cited a number of Malami’s alleged misrepresentations, including his assertion that the prosecution was a lost endeavour and a clean bill of health to the affected companies.
HEDA argued that the position was contradicted by the AGF’s approval of an appeal by the Federal Government to the Italian Supreme Court in its civil claim against Eni and Shell in Italy. They also pointed out that Nigeria had won its first case in London, resulting in the return of $80 million to the coffers, with $115 million remaining frozen in Switzerland.
It, however, expressed confidence that Buhari would reject Malami’s advice, given his commitment to anti-graft crusade and rule of law.
The group also expressed hope that the President’s successor would be as committed to the struggle.
The OPL 245 suit has been a controversial issue in Nigeria, with allegations of corruption and fraud surrounding the licence award and subsequent exploitation of the oil field.
Source: The Guardian
