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Tag: Adoke

  • Malabu : I didn’t receive $2.2m bribe, says  Adoke

    Malabu : I didn’t receive $2.2m bribe, says  Adoke

    A former Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke( SAN) yesterday denied receiving $2.2million bribe from the $1b Malabu Oil Block deal.

    He insisted that  there was nothing illegal or shady about the resolution of the dispute over the ownership and operation of the OPL 245.

    He said all the State actors that implemented the settlement agreement,  including himself, acted in the national interest.

    He said the requisite Presidential Approvals were duly sought and obtained before a settlement agreement was reached on Malabu Oil Block.

    He also said he has filed an action before a Federal High Court to seek reliefs and declarations on the extent of the powers of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under sections 5, 147, 148 and 150 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

    He said he asked the court to determine whether  a Minister of the Government of the Federation can be held personally liable for carryout the lawful directives/ approvals of the President.

    Adoke made these disclosures in a letter to a UK-based anti-corruption body, Global Witness following a statement by the organisation on the charges preferred against Shell,  Eni  and top executives of the oil giants on the Malabu deal.

    The ex-minister, through his counsel, Femi Oboro Gromyko Amedu, alleged that Global Witness insinuated that he collected $2.2million bribe from Malabu Oil Block deal.

    The letter said: “Our client vigorously denies that he received a bribe of $2.2 million or any other sum on account of the OPL 245 Settlement Agreement and states that he has had cause to call attention of the public to the reckless and reprehensible attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to link his Mortgage repayment to the Unity Bank of Nigeria to the alleged bribe of $2.2 Million, when the loan documentation in respect of the mortgage is available for any objective person to apprise himself of the transaction and arrive at an informed conclusion.

    ”Our client reiterates that he had applied for a mortgage loan in the sum of N300,000,000 (three hundred million Naira only) from Unity Bank of Nigeria to purchase a property from Aliyu Abubakar, a property developer in Abuja.

    “ The bank paid the loan sum directly to the developer. Our client was also required to source and pay the balance of N 200,000,000 (two hundred million Naira only) as the sale price was fixed as N 500,000,000.

    “ When however, our client could not meet up with his repayment obligations to the bank as well as complete the payment of the balance of N 200million to the developer, the developer opted to repossess the property.

    “Our client had no option than to consent to the proposal and asked that the sum of N 300million  earlier paid to him by Unity Bank of Nigeria be refunded directly to the Bank.

    “The developer accordingly paid the money directly to the bank to offset the mortgage loan and the certificate of occupancy (title documents) in respect of the property was released by the bank to the developer.”

  • 2015 poll: Mimiko mounted pressure for Buhari’s trial for ‘certificate forgery’, says Adoke 

    2015 poll: Mimiko mounted pressure for Buhari’s trial for ‘certificate forgery’, says Adoke 

    THE last has not been heard on the 2015 general elections following a revelation yesterday by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN) that former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko mounted pressure on him to prosecute then candidate Muhammadu Buhari for certificate forgery.

    He said he resisted the pressure because he believed that Buhari was eminently qualified to contest the 2015 presidential poll.

    Adoke stated this in a written statement on what transpired behind the curtains before the 2015 poll.

    His statement was read in Abuja by Ovation Publisher Dele Momodu at the presentation of a book, “On a Platter of Gold: How Jonathan won and lost Nigeria,” written by a former Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi.

    The ex-AGF said: “Further to our discussion sir, I hereby confirm that what Bolaji wrote in his book in respect of Mimiko putting pressure on me to issue a fiat to prosecute PMB (Buhari) is true.

    “A lawyer had previously written to seek my fiat to prosecute PMB for forgery and I declined on the ground that there were no materials placed before me to exercise my discretion and that the request does not satisfy the legal threshold for me to exercise my discretion to grant fiat to prosecute General Buhari.

    “Subsequent to that, I was called by Governor Mimiko who tried to prevail on me to issue the fiat for political expediency and I refused by making it very clear to him that the legal threshold for the exercise of my discretion has not been met and that in any case, assuming General Buhari has no secondary school certificate, he has the equivalent of a school certificate as he is a retired General and a former Head of State and thus satisfied the qualification requirement of the constitution to contest the office of the president.

    “I further informed him that the Court of Appeal, Benin had settled the law in that aspect. I left him and proceeded to brief the President on my encounter with Governor Mimiko and my response to his request. President Jonathan agreed with me and said I should uphold the letters of the constitution and the law…”

    “And l added that he (Buhari) attended the War College in the United States as a serving General and as such more than qualified to contest…”

    The presentation of Adoke’s clarification drew applause from the audience at the book launch.

    Also, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Ahmed Adamu Mu‘azu said Jonathan was under intense pressure from different friends and associates not to give up power.

    Momodu also related the encounter he had with Mu‘azu on how Jonathan almost changed his mind to concede defeat to Buhari.

    He said: “l have also read accounts of how President Goodluck Jonathan nearly changed his mind after congratulating the winner and wanted to use PDP operatives and apparatus to challenge the authenticity and validity of the election results in the courts but the PDP Chairman Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu‘azu blatantly refused to support such a move.

    “When we spoke last week, he (confirmed it was a true account of what happened and said President Jonathan was under intense pressure from different friends and associates not to give up power. He insists that his decision was to save his flagbearer from agents of chaos and save Nigeria from even bigger and unnecessary catastrophe!”

  • 2015 poll: Mimiko wanted me to prosecute Buhari for certificate forgery – Adoke

    2015 poll: Mimiko wanted me to prosecute Buhari for certificate forgery – Adoke

    … Jonathan was under pressure not to leave power – Mu’azu

    A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke ( SAN ) said on Thursday that ex- Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, mounted pressure on him to prosecute President Muhammadu Buhari for certificate forgery few months before the 2015 presidential election.

    Adoke, however, said he resisted the pressure because Buhari was more than qualified to contest the poll.

    These facts were contained in a written statement by the ex-minister on what transpired behind the curtains before the 2015 poll.

    Adoke’s statement was read in Abuja by a columnist, Mr. Dele Momodu, at the presentation of a book: “On a Platter of Gold: How Jonathan won and lost Nigeria,” written by a former Minister of Sports, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi.

    The ex-AGF said: “Further to our discussion sir, I hereby confirm that what Bolaji wrote in his book in respect of Mimiko putting pressure on me to issue a fiat to prosecute PMB (Buhari) is true.

    “A lawyer had previously written to seek my fiat to prosecute PMB for forgery and I declined on the ground that there were no materials placed before me to exercise my discretion and that the request does not satisfy the legal threshold for me to exercise my discretion to grant fiat to prosecute Gen. Buhari.

    “Subsequent to that, I was called by Governor Mimiko who tried to prevail on me to issue the fiat for political expediency and I refused by making it very clear to him that the legal threshold for the exercise of my discretion has not been met and that in any case assuming Gen. Buhari has no secondary school certificate, he has the equivalent of a school certificate as he is a retired General and a former Head of State and thus satisfied the prequalification requirements of the constitution to contest the office of the President.

    “I further informed him that the Court of Appeal, Benin, has settled the law in that aspect. I left him and proceeded to brief the President on my encounter with Governor Mimiko and my response to his request. President Jonathan agreed with me and said I should uphold the letters of the constitution and the law.”

    “And l added that he (Buhari) attended the War College in the United States as a serving General and as such more than qualified to contest.”

    The presentation of Adoke’s clarification drew applause from the audience who felt elated.

    Also, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Adamu Mu‘azu, said ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was under intense pressure from different friends and associates not to give up power.

    Momodu, also related the encounter he had with Mu‘azu on how Jonathan almost changed his mind to concede defeat to Buhari.

    He said: “l have also read accounts of how President Goodluck Jonathan nearly changed his mind after congratulating the winner and wanted to use PDP operatives and apparatus to challenge the authenticity and validity of the election results in the courts but the PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu‘azu, blatantly refused to support such a move.

    “When we spoke last week, he (confirmed it was a true account of what happened and said President Jonathan was under intense pressure from different friends and associates not to give up power. He insisted that his decision was to save his flag bearer from agents of chaos and save Nigeria from even bigger and unnecessary catastrophe!

    “He said President Jonathan had achieved what has never happened in Nigeria and would have lost so much had he rescinded his early and earlier congratulations to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Rather than accuse Mu’azu of betraying his party, he should be commended for promoting the finest tenets of democracy; if you lose election, please GO IN PEACE. He‘s proud that through his patriotic act, President Jonathan has successfully joined the distinguished company of world’s statesmen and he is much respected for that status throughout the world today.

    “I must note that Bolaji has done a very painstaking job in this book and I believe we must all endeavour to learn lessons from the tragedy that befell PDP and the Jonathan government. One of the biggest problems bedeviling our country is that of our inability to learn any lessons from history.

    “I gave up on the Jonathan administration the day Bolaji Abdullahi was sacked without any reasonable justification. I was sad and miserable for Nigeria and wept silently for our collective future.

    “Today Bolaji is back triumphantly. Great men like Bolaji can only be delayed in their journey of life but I am sure he will ultimately arrive at the destination designed for him by the Almighty.”

  • Malabu Oil:  Adoke alleges EFCC plot to abduct him 

    Malabu Oil:  Adoke alleges EFCC plot to abduct him 

    A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) yesterday alleged that the Presidency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were planning to abduct him from his base abroad.

    He also said the government was plotting to give him what he called “Dasuki treatment.”

    He said the EFCC and the government were denying him of livelihood, family life, as well as his legitimate right to fundamental freedoms.

    Adoke made the claims in a statement from his overseas base against the backdrop of the ongoing investigation of the $1billion Malabu Oil Block.

    In the personally signed statement, he ex-minister said: “I have become aware of plans being made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) acting in concert with the Presidency to illegally abduct me and forcibly drag me to Nigeria for purposes of detaining and humiliating me for having the audacity to challenge in court, my continuous persecution, intimidation and harassment by the EFCC.

    “I therefore wish to use this medium to once more sensitise Nigerians and the international community about the flagrant abuse of my rights being perpetrated by Nigerian authorities under the guise of fighting corruption and the plan to illegally abduct me against all known international laws, rules and norms in order to forcibly take me to Nigeria akin to the botched  ‘Umaru Dikko Saga’ in the UK in 1984 for the sole purpose of humiliating and illegally detaining me indefinitely for daring to challenge the actions /illegalities of the EFCC before Nigerian Courts and relevant UN Human Rights mechanisms.”

    He gave insights into why the government and the EFCC were allegedly against him.

    He said:  “It will be recalled that following relentless media attack on my person by the EFCC,  acting in concert with some powerful families with known ties to the government which culminated in the filing of phantom money laundering and corruption charges against me, I made spirited efforts to engage with relevant officials of government including the EFCC, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Presidency to furnish them with all the information in respect of the OPL 245 Settlement Agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Malabu Oil & Gas Limited which was brokered by the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR.

    “I also furnished copies of relevant Agreements and Presidential approvals to implement the Settlement Agreement; evidence that the signature bonus of US$210 million due to government was duly paid and that all the officials that were involved in the implementation of the Settlement Agreement acted in furtherance of the requisite Presidential approval to actualize Government’s desire to end a long standing dispute over the ownership and operation of Block 245 that had prevented the commercial exploitation of the block for the benefit of the country.

    “Despite my best endeavour to explain the transaction, it became obvious that those who felt aggrieved by my refusal to use my office to further their interests in Malabu Oil & Gas Limited, (the beneficiary of the OPL 245 Settlement Agreement) were intent on impugning the transaction in order to strengthen the hands of their collaborators in government to repudiate settlement.

    “Consequently, concerted efforts were made in the media to taint the otherwise transparent implementation of the Settlement Agreement with corruption. I was singled out for prosecution in the absence of any proof of personal interest/gain or wrongdoing on my part.

    “It was against this background that I approached the Federal High Court for interpretation of the provisions of sections 5(1); 147, 148, and 150 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended in order to determine whether as a Minister in the Government of the Federation, I could incur criminal liability for carrying out the lawful directives of the President and Commander-in-Chief, particularly where it has not been shown that I acted in excess of such authority or directive.”

    Adoke alleged that the presidency and the government opted for renewed harassment for him because he refused to back down on his legal action.

    He said: “I have petitioned the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers about my plight and the deliberate efforts being made by the EFCC and the government to deny me my livelihood, family life, as well as my legitimate right to fundamental freedoms.”

  • Malabu’s $1.1b scam: EFCC plans to extraditing Adoke

    Malabu’s $1.1b scam: EFCC plans to extraditing Adoke

    THE Federal Government said yesterday that it is making necessary arrangements to extradite a former Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke, to face charges for alleged fraud.

    Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Johnson Ojogbanesaid this day in Abuja.

    The EFCC charged Adoke and two multinational oil companies, Shell and ENI, to court for their roles in the Malabu $1.1 billion scam.

    The money was paid by the oil firms into a Nigerian government account in London for OPL 245, an oil block considered one of the richest in Africa.

    Adoke then authorised the transfer of the funds into private accounts of former Petroleum Minister Dan Etete, in controversial circumstances.

    Over $800 million of the money was eventually transferred.

    Most of the money is believed to have ended in private pockets of officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, including Adoke, who has, however, denied any wrongdoing.

    Justice John Tsoho had fixed yesterday for arraignment of  Adoke and the other co-defendants, including Etete.

    Ojogbane, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the matter could not proceed because the EFCC had been unable to get Adoke and other defendants.

    “The matter was adjourned until today for arraignment of the defendants, but up till now, we have not been able to secure the attendance of most of the defendants, because they are outside jurisdiction; that is, they are outside the country.

    “The Federal Government is doing everything within its powers to bring them back to Nigeria so that they can face their trial.

    “The government will take steps, in collaboration with the international police, to locate them and bring them back to Nigeria through extradition, which is a very cumbersome process. But it will be done,” Ojogbane said.

    He said the court adjourned the matter until October 26, after the court’s vacation to enable the process of bringing Adoke and others back to Nigeria to be intensified.

    Adoke, who had initially pledged to make himself available for trial, made a u-turn, saying he feared he would not be treated fairly by the EFCC.

    The EFCC had in December 2016, charged nine suspects, including Adoke, over the purchase of OPL 245.

    The Federal Government had also on March 2, filed fresh charges against Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited and Agip Nigeria Exploration Limited, a subsidiary of ENI, for alleged complicity in the Malabu $1.1 billion scandal.

    Adoke, Etete, Aliyu Abubakar, ENI Spa, Ralph Wetzels, Casula Roberto, Pujatti Stefeno, Burrafati Sebestiano and Malabu Oil and Gas were charged along side the two multinational oil companies.

  • ‘$20m Swiss bribery’: What Adoke told Switzerland

    ‘$20m Swiss bribery’: What Adoke told Switzerland

    A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello (SAN), directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged $20million bribery scandal uncovered in Switzerland, it was learnt yesterday.

    However, it was the anti-graft agency which said the money might have been consultancy fees.

    The Swiss authorities, through the Office of The Attorney-General, Department of International Affairs on May 2, 2012 implicated some Nigerians in the $20million scandal alongside Dredging International Services (Cyprus) Ltd.

    But it was gathered that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan referred the allegations to the EFCC. The outcome of the EFCC investigation, it was leant, was send to Felix Reinmann, the Swiss Federal Attorney.

    A letter by Adoke, obtained by our correspondent, revealed the steps taken by the Federal Government.

    The letter said: “?I refer to your letter dated 2nd May 2012, wherein you forwarded a Mutual Legal Assistance request to Nigeria on the above subject matter. The request was brought pursuant to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the International Law Principle of Reciprocity.

    “The documents on further findings of the executing competent authority the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed that the money was paid as consultancy fee to the various recipients.

    “The said documents are herein forwarded to you verbatim.

    “Accept please, the assurances of my highest consideration and esteemed regards.

    An online newspaper had reported that Dredging International Services (Cyprus) Ltd was sentenced to a fine of one million Swiss Francs and asked to refund 36 million Swiss Francs illegal profit.

    The fines were imposed after the company was indicted for allegedly making illicit payments to a former Managing Director of the NPA, Adebayo Sarumi; a former Managing Director of NPA’s Eastern Ports, Felix Ovbude; a former Executive Director of Finance at the NPA, Abba Murtala Mohammed; and Daniel Afam-Obi, a former executive assistant to Sullivan Akachukwu Nwankpo who was ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s special adviser on technical matters.

    Investigators believe Mr. Afam-Obi acted on behalf of Mr. Nwankpo.

    While Messrs Sarumi, Ovbude and Mohammed allegedly collectively received $2.6million in kickbacks, Mr. Afam-Obi was said to have been paid $157,000 for unknown reasons.

    Another $18million dollar was passed to companies in which some yet unknown Nigerian officials have interests.

  • I facilitated settlement of $1.09b Malabu Oil dispute, says Adoke

    I facilitated settlement of $1.09b Malabu Oil dispute, says Adoke

    A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice,  Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN), has said his involvement in  the $1.09b Malabu oil block deal was only that of a facilitator.

    He said he facilitated amicable settlement between two parties over a long-standing dispute because of the economic implications for the country.

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

    Besides, said Adoke, 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 settlement of the dispute was motivated by the need to avoid a colossal cost to the Federal Government as awarded by the courts.

    He said he had a copy of the Presidential approval directing that Malabu be paid US$ 1,092,040,000 from the Escrow Account with J.P. Morgan.

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

    The ex-Minister is asking 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 $1.09billion 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.

    On December 20, 2001, the EFCC filed nine charges bordering on alleged mismanagement of $1.09b against Adoke( SAN), a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Dan Etete and seven others.

    The others are a businessman, Aliyu Abubakar, Malabu Oil and Gas Limited; Rocky  Top Resources Limited; Imperial Union Limited; Novel Properties and Development Company Limited, Group Construction Limited and Megatech Engineering Limited.

    The nine-count charge was filed  at the Federal High Court, Abuja by a team of lawyers, including Johnson Ojogbane, C.C. Nduese, H.M. Mohammed, and  Victor Ukagwu.

    But Adoke, in an application  through his counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi(SAN), said he only acted as a facilitator of a settlement agreement by disputing parties.

    He listed the disputing parties as Malabu Oil and Gas Limited; the President and Commander in Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Federal Government of Nigeria; the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; the Ministry of Petroleum Resources;  and the Department of Petroleum Resources and Attorney General of the Federation.

    He said the Terms of Settlement were entered into as far back as 30th November 2006 to amicably settle Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/ 420/2003 and Appeal No: CA/A/99/M/06 brought by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited  against other respondents.

    The affidavit said in part: “The role played by the Plaintiff as Minister of the Government of the federation, acting on the directives and approvals of the President was that of a facilitator of an amicable settlement between two disputing parties over a long standing dispute with obvious economic implications for the country.

    “The decision to implement the terms of settlement was ‘largely informed by the magnitude of claims against the FGN arising from the allocation of OPL 245 to Malabu; the revocation of the Block in a less than transparent manner and the subsequent re-award of the same block to Shell/NNPC under a Production Sharing Arrangement; the substantial de-risking of Block 245 by Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) with the knowledge and approval of the FGN, and the need to prevent the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID Arbitration initiated by SNUD from progressing to conclusion in view of its obvious negative consequences for the country.

    “The entire involvement and role played by the Adoke in the settlement process and implementation was in furtherance of the directives and approvals of ex-President Jonathan in the exercise of his executive powers as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Adoke said he  carried out the Presidential directives “diligently, faithfully, impartially and in good faith and without any personal gain to himself or to any other person, except as was agreed to by the known parties to the dispute.

    “That the plaintiff (Adoke) verily believes that he did not exceed the directives/approval given to him by the President and did nothing wrong to warrant his prosecution on account of the implementation of the Settlement Agreement.”

    He stated that Malabu had petitioned President Jonathan on 3rd June 2013 demanding payment of US$ 1,092,040,000 being the sum due payable to them under the Resolution Agreement in response to which the president approved on 17th June 2013.

    He said: “The presidential approval directing that Malabu be paid the sum of US$ 1,092,040,000 from the Escrow Account with J.P. Morgan and Malabu’s petition dated 3rd June 2013 is hereby attached.”

    Adoke told the court that although Malabu was issued a licence for Block 245 on 9th April 2001, the Federal Government subsequently revoked the licence on 2nd July 2001.

    He said that following the revocation, Exxon-Mobil and Shell were then invited in April 2002 to bid for the same OPL 245 as contractors on a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), despite the existence of subsisting contractual agreements between Malabu and SNUD with respect to OPL 245.

     

     

     

    He said: “Dissatisfied with the revocation, Malabu contended among other things that the circumstances leading to the revocation of its licence on Block 245 was less than transparent and smacked of inducement and Connivance from SNUD, which at the material time was its technical partner. It was also contended by Malabu that the subsequent re-award of OPL 245 to SNUD by the FGN was done under questionable circumstances.

    “That Malabu then petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum to look into the matter and the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum found   no rational basis for the revocation and reprimanded Shell for its complicity. The Committee also directed the Federal Government to withdraw the re-award it made to Shell and return OPL 245 to Malabu, the original allotee of the Block.

    “That in addition to its recourse to the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum, Malabu also instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/Cs/420/2003 before the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja against the Federal Government of Nigeria to enforce its claim to OPL 245.

    “That although, the suit was struck out by the FHC, Malabu proceeded to lodge Appeal No. CA/A/99M/2006, before the Court of Appeal, Abuja, Division in 2006 and that it was during the pendency of the Appeal that a settlement hereof was executed as a consideration for withdrawal of the Appeal by Malabu.

    “That consequent upon Exhibit 2, the then Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Edmund Daukoru, communicated the restoration of the OPL 245 to Malabu vide letter dated 2nd December 2006.

    “That following  Malabu was expected to pay the new signature bonus in the sum of US$210,000,000 less the $2,000,000,00 it had previously paid. Malabu accordingly released the FGN from liability on account of the actions taken in respect OPL 245.”

  • Adoke raises alarm over EFCC’s plans to raid Okene’s home

    Adoke raises alarm over EFCC’s plans to raid Okene’s home

    A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke( SAN), yesterday raised the alarm that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is planning to raid his home in Okene. He also said it is likely that the anti-graft agency might plant incriminating documents or cash in the house. Adoke, who cried out through a statement by his Media Officer, Mr. Victor Akhidenor, in Abuja said the EFCC was seeking evidence to indict him. The statement said: “We have been reliably informed of a plan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to raid the Okene, Kogi country home of Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. “We gathered that the swoop on the country home of the former Attorney General and Minister of justice could happen any moment from now as part of the EFCC’s sustained campaign to soil the good name of Mr Adoke in the guise of seeking evidence to indict him.

    “It would be recalled that only last week, the EFCC invaded Adoke’s residence in Kano State, breaking doors, upturning chairs and tables and generally disturbing the peace of the neighbourhood. “They claimed they were looking for documents with which to substantiate their wild allegations of corruption against Mr Adoke. It did not find anything incriminating as there was no such document. “But that action alone has established one fact; that the EFCC had no shred of evidence on which it had charged Mr. Adoke to court. It was after charging him that they now started hunting around for evidence.

    Is this justice? “After turning up with nothing in Kano, now the EFCC wants to conduct another dramatic campaign in Okene for the cameras, and we are certain that like the previous raids which turned up nothing, no incriminating document or item would be found on the premises in Okene or anywhere for that matter because no such document exists. “Adoke has made it clear times without number that on the Malabu matter, he only acted as directed by the former President, H.E Goodluck Jonathan, and in the best interest of the country. He had also properly handed over all documents and items relating to the issue to his successor, Abubakar Malami (SAN), when leaving the government. ” He did not enrich himself or anyone through in the course of the transaction which had been concluded long before he assumed office.

    He completed his brief to the best of his abilities and knowledge, and has since moved on. “However, for whatever reason, the EFCC appears to have a different opinion on the Malabu issue and has made the harassment of Mr. Adoke, his family and associates its past time, without providing any proof of wrongdoing. “We wish to warn that Mr. Adokie would no longer take these harassments of his family and serial invasions of his homes lying low and will henceforth seek all legal means to enforce his rights, including asking for damages. He will also petition international human rights organizations, the UN and other international groups to intimate them of the wilful abuse of his rights by the EFCC. “Finally, we put Nigerians on notice that with the desperation shown by the EFCC, it is not unlikely that it may want to plant incriminating document or cash in the Okene home of Adoke and claim that same were found on the premises. The world is watching.”

  • EFCC raids ex-AGF Adoke’s Kano home

    EFCC raids ex-AGF Adoke’s Kano home

    THE Kano residence of a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, was yesterday raided by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    It was part of the ongoing probe of $1.09 billion Malabu Oil Block Settlement Agreement.

    The raid was said to have been triggered by some documents related to the deal.

    The operatives arrived at the Alu Avenue residence of Adoke in Kano at about noon and forced their way into the house.

    A family source, in a terse e-mail message said:  “Some EFCC operatives today raided the house of Adoke. They found nothing after breaking down the doors of his residence in Kano.

    “There was no evidence of a search warrant but they broke down some doors, searched everywhere and the roof.

    “There were no information on the actual mission of the operatives.”

    Another source said: “Wednesday’s raid was the second under 48 hours. The EFCC team had earlier gone to Adoke’s separate house in another part of the town on Tuesday.

    “The initial house raided was the one bombed by Boko Haram which the family has since abandoned.

    But a source within the EFCC, who confirmed the search, said: “It is part of the ongoing investigation into the Malabu Oil Block Agreement. We acted on intelligence and our operatives moved in based on the clues.

  • EFCC ‘should arrest Adoke, Etete, others’

    EFCC ‘should arrest Adoke, Etete, others’

    A Federal High Court judge in Abuja has advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to deploy its arresting powers to produce before the court those indicted in the controversial $1.1 billion Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245 transaction (also known as the Malabu Oil deal).

    Justice John Tsoho gave the advice yesterday when EFCC counsel Jonson Ojogbane made a request for direction when two of the three charges the commission filed in relation to the Malabu Oil deal were mentioned.

    The first of the charges was filed on December 21, last year. There are nine defendants, including former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Bello Adoke (SAN).

    Others are former Minister of Petroleum Dan Etete, Aliyu Abubakar, Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, Rocky Top Resource Ltd, Imperial Union Ltd, Novel Properties & Dev. Co. Ltd, Group Construction Ltd and Megatech Engineering Ltd.

    The second charge filed on March 2, has Adoke and Abubakar (of AA Oil) as defendants.

    The second charge was first mentioned yesterday. The defendants were neither in court, nor represented by lawyers.

    Ojogbane announced his appearance for the prosecution. He said the prosecution was not yet able to effect personal service of the charge on the defendants.

    He sought the court’s direction on whether or not to apply orally or by way of a motion for arrest warrants against the defendants.

    Ojogbane said: “We are yet to serve the defendants in this case. We have been unable to serve them, particularly, the first defendant (Adoke). We are told he is outside the country.

    “I will appreciate if my lord can guide me. I actually want to make an application for arrest warrant against defendants.”

    Citing Section 35 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Ojogbane said: “My lord, I wish to be guided about the procedure. I want to know if I can apply orally or file a motion.”

    Justice Tsoho replied: “You can’t apply orally. My understanding of the law is that until you arraign anybody, you cannot make an order of arrest against the person.

    “If a defendant has been arraigned and he is not coming for trial, the court can issue arrest warrant against such person.

    “The prosecution can use its coercive powers under the law to arrest a defendant to answer to the charges pending against them.”

    Ojogbane explained that he required the warrant to begin extradition proceedings against the defendants, who are overseas.

    His logic is that with the cooperation of the AGF Office, the INTERPOL will facilitate the arrest of the defendants, if  a warrant is attached to all the documents to be sent to the foreign authorities.

    Justice Tsoho, who was not persuaded by Ojogbane’s explanation, stated that with or without an arrest warrant, extradition proceedings could be initiated.

    Realising that the judge was unwilling to grant his request, Ojogbane sought an adjournment to enable the prosecution take further steps to bring the defendants  to court.

    When the other charge was called, similar scenario played out. Justice Tsoho adjourned till June 13 for arraignment.

    The third charge is before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). There are 11 defendants.

    They are Adoke, Etete, Shell, Agip,  Eni,  Aliyu Abubakar (of AA Oil Ltd), Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd.

    Others are a director of Shell, Ralph Wetzels and three Italian directors of Agip Exploration Ltd – Casula Roberto, Putatti Stefeno and Burrafato Sebastiano.

    The defendants are charged with conspiracy and official corruption in relation to their alleged acceptance of $801 million from the oil companies in relation to the grant of OPL 245.