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Tag: Investigation

  • Shehu Sani tells APC: nobody can stop our investigation

    Shehu Sani tells APC: nobody can stop our investigation

    Chairman of Senate Adhoc Committee on Humanitarian Crisis in the North East Senator Shehu Sani said yesterday nobody could stop his committee from completing its investigation of misappropriation of funds budgeted for internally displaced persons in the region.
    Sani, who held a two hours’ meeting with leadership of All progressives Congress (APC), told reporters at the party national secretariat the final report of his committee would be ready when the senate resumes’ from break.
    The party leaders told senators they were not comfortable with members of the party washing their dirty linens in public.
    He said the leadership of the party assured him they were not opposed to the investigations, but they did not like his choice of words on the floor of the Senate.
    He added that his use of “deodorant and sectional” was a clear definition of the bipolar nature of the anti- corruption crusade, adding that “I believe that there is the need for Nigerians to wake up to these realities.”
    Sani, who said the party was in support of the investigation said the leadership also told him that what it was against is party members washing their dirty linens in public.
    He said: “First, it is good to make clarification. The party did not write to invite me here for a meeting contrary to reports. But with my presence here, we have discussed a number of issues. The first is the need for unity in the APC caucus and the need for us to refocus ourselves. Since the two groups, the Like Minds and the Unity Forum have fussed together.
    “The second is what transpired after the interim report which I submitted on the floor of the senate. First, I wanted clarification from them whether the party is opposed to the looting of the funds of the Presidential Initiative on the humanitarian crisis in the north east.
    “They said the party is not opposed to it.”

    If the party is opposed to my interim report and they said no and so, I ask what their issues were. They told me that they are worried and concerned each time I fire some grammar in t the senate and it shock and rattles them while destroying the solidarity within the party and they want me to slow down on some of these Cruz missiles. I told them that it is either my honour or that of the letter that was sent by the Presidency.
    “I did not in any way attack the President, but I faulted the letter based on three issues. First, my name was omitted in the letter as Chairman of the Senate adhoc committee. Secondly, the SGF said we didn’t invite him, but we did invite him and thirdly, the letter said there was no quorum.
    “I told them that in as much as my comment in deodorant and insecticide was rattling they should have invited the SGF for call the senate and our report balderdash and they said they were also opposed that language used.
    “They said they don’t want us to wash our dirty linings in the public and I told the, that at the end of the day, even if you wash your dirty linings inside the room, you will still have to dry the, outside.
    “I made clarifications that they are not opposed to corruption investigations, but they are worried by the missiles I used which is causing a lot of discomfort. I told them I was only using literary expression to send my message.
    “I made it clear to them that we are going to do our own report and continue to do it. I am glad that they are not opposed to our investigation and they are also not opposed to the continuation of our investigation.
    “I am an activist and my statement is my statement and it is very clear. I think we owe our loyalty to three things. These are our conscience, our conviction and to our country and any other thing can come secondary.
    “What we should also know is that if you love a person, you tell him the truth and I believe if we as a government and as a party cannot tell ourselves the truth, then we have lost the moral right and authority to tell others the truth.
    “We are investigation the massive misappropriation of funds for IDPs in the north east. Nobody can stop that. We are determined to do our work and have done an interim report and we are going to come out with the full detail after this break and nobody in the party has said he is opposed to it. But I think that their major concern was my grammar.”
    On the resolution of the senate asking doe the sacking of the SGF, he said: “Sacking the SGF is not about Shehu Sani, but about the resolution of the senate and what they said is binding on me. If the senate say he should go, I share in that position and if they say he should remain, I share in that position too.
    “I didn’t ask to be named chairman of the adhoc committee and did not even know I was going to be in the committee. I was appointed and I have to do my job as it is and once I am done, I am out of it.”

  • First Bank admits EFCC investigation over ‘Diezani funds’

    First Bank admits EFCC investigation over ‘Diezani funds’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating possible lodgement and distribution of the slush political funds distributed by the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, in First Bank of Nigeria.

    FBN Holdings Plc, the parent and holding company for First Bank of Nigeria and its former subsidiaries, at the weekend confirmed that the EFCC is investigating the bank because of alleged connections to Diezani’s funds.

    In a regulatory filing at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, the company stated that EFCC has invited an executive director of First Bank, Mr. Dauda Lawal in connection with the Diezani’s funds and he has been cooperating fully with the anti-corruption agency.

    EFCC had two weeks ago also visited Access Bank and Sterling Bank in what appeared to be an industry-wide investigation of the use of the banking system to launder and distribute slush political funds. EFCC had earlier arrested the managing director of Fidelity Bank in connection with the ‘Diezani’s funds’.

    Both Access Bank and Sterling Bank had clarified that the visits by the EFCC were not connected to the Diezani’s slush political funds or the alleged diversion of arm funds linked to the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), otherwise known as Dasukigate.

    In a statement to the NSE, Sterling Bank had affirmed that it did not hold account for “the public officer from the previous administration to which this matter (EFCC’s visit to the bank) has been linked either officially or otherwise”.

    Sterling Bank explained that while the reason for the visit by the EFCCwas not immediately clear, it has now been confirmed that the investigation is related to the banking relationship of a non-bank financial institution that is a client of Sterling Bank Plc.

    “We affirm for the public records that the bank does not hold the account of the public officer from the previous administration to which this matter has been linked either officially or otherwise; the non-bank financial institution (Asset Management Company) in question purchased a number of loans on a recourse basis from Sterling Bank Plc on commercially acceptable terms and this is the link of the concern raised by the EFCC to Sterling Bank Plc,” Sterling Bank stated.

  • Investigation shows huge boycott of Akwa Ibom rerun election

    •Coalition calls for simultaneous voting in future polls

    The House of Assembly rerun poll last Saturday in Akwa Ibom State was boycotted, investigation by the The Nation has shown.

    Total votes for parties in the four constituencies; Ibesikpo Asutan, Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara, Etinan and Oron, was 59,426.

    But total votes recorded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in these constituencies on  April 11, 2015, was 203,566.

    About 144,140 voters stayed away from the rerun.

    The implication of the mass boycott compared to April, 2015, is that about 70 per cent of those who voted last year also boycotted last Saturday’s election.

    Only 29 per cent recorded by INEC to have voted last year voted in the rerun.

    An analysis showed that in Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara, INEC recorded 84,172 votes in April 11, 2015. PDP got 81,941  But only 26,404 votes or 31 per cent were declared in last week’s rerunn and PDP scored 23,900 votes.

    An APC chief,  Inyang Isong, said: “If only 59,426 voted in the rerun against the previous  203,566, it calls to question the over 1.2 million votes declared for the governorship.”

    Observers attributed the low turn out of voters and the mass boycott of the rerun to the controversial verdict of the Supreme Court on the 2015 governorship.

    A coalition of INEC accredited observers’ group, under the aegis of Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizen Awareness, has called for simultaneous voting in future elections.

    Its spokesman, Nwambu Gabriel, at a press briefing, said card reader failed significantly in terms of verification of PVCs and finger print in last Saturday’s election.

    Dr. Gabriel said there was general voter apathy although voters were seen as early as 8 am.

    His words: “The card reader failed significantly in terms of verification of PVCs and finger print. It is pertinent to note that INEC has demonstrated significant improvement as demonstrated in Akwa Ibom rerun election.

    “We recommend this poll in terms of simultaneous voting, which was tested in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, bringing to cognisance, transparency, due process and the rule of law enroute sustainable democracy.”

  • FRSC begins investigation into cause of car crash

    FRSC begins investigation into cause of car crash

    •Corps marshal links accident to tyre burst

    Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Boboye Oyeyemi has ordered investigation into the ghastly crash that killed Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Chief James Ocholi, his wife and eldest son on Abuja-Kaduna road on Sunday.

    He said the investigation would determine what led to the accident with a view to prevent future occurrences.

    His Head, Media Relations and Strategy, Bisi Kazeem, said the Corps Marshal spoke while addressing reporters yesterday in the aftermath of the accident.

    He commiserated with President Muhamadu Buhari, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Ocholi family on the death of the minister.

    Oyeyemi noted that the death of the minister and two of his family members in the crash was a tragic incident that has challenged FRSC to step up its campaigns against carnage.

    He said he was personally touched and would work with relevant stakeholders to develop appropriate strategies that could address future occurrences.

    “The crash occurred at about 1500hrs and involved two vehicles: one Toyota Lexus LX570 car and a backup car.

    “Three lives were lost in the incident. While the minister and his son died instantly, the wife later died at the Doka Hospital near Kaduna,” he stated.

    Oyeyemi said as soon as the crash occurred, FRSC rescue teams were mobilised from the Ambulance Point and Unit Command at Doka and Kateri to the scene, where they carried out the rescue activities.

    He pointed out that their corpses were conveyed to and deposited at the National Hospital, Abuja by his personnel.

    On the cause of the crash, Oyeyemi noted that preliminary investigation into the cause indicated that the crash was due to tyre burst, which led to loss of control and somersaulting of the vehicle.

    He added, however, that he has ordered full investigation into the crash to be carried out by FRSC Accident Investigation Team.

    The corps marshal noted with the unfortunate incident, “FRSC is more determined to work with the Executive and members of the National Assembly as well as other relevant stakeholders to workout appropriate modalities for ensuring crash-free roads”.

    He said training and retraining of government drivers was part of the measures being taken by the FRSC to avert convoy crashes.

    He noted that when FRSC trained the drivers of the governors’ convoy, the benefits in terms of improved driving culture became immediately noticeable.

    The Corps, Oyeyemi said, would be working with members of the FEC to put some measures in place, including re-training of their drivers to avoid convoy crashes.

    “We are working with the Minister of Works, Power and Housing to install traffic signs at some strategic points along the highways. We are equally committed to working with the National Assembly to step up advocacy and enforcement strategies to curtail issues of speed violation and promotion of use of seatbelt,” Oyeyemi stated.

  • AIB boss calls for caution in accident investigation

    AIB boss calls for caution in accident investigation

    The Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Dr. Felix Abali has called for restraint from the public on issues bordering on aircraft accident or incident in the aviation industry.

    He said accident investigations are not based on sentiments or emotions but in line with regulations prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    Speaking Tuesday at the stakeholders forum on draft amendment to AIB regulations in Lagos, Abali declared that the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Annex 13, has specifically prescribed the sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident.

    Such role he said is to prevent recurrent of accidents and incidents.

    He explained that the purpose of such activity is not to apportion blame or liability, even as he said reports of aircraft accidents however run against the expectation of members of the public.

    He however said this is understandable due to the emotionally – laden atmosphere that usually accompanies air mishaps anywhere in the world.

    He added: “It is also not unusual to find many people eager to know the cause of aircraft accidents, even in a matter of days. So are we but accident investigation process is more complex that many often imagine. We must be painstaking and thorough so as to arrive at a conclusion that is not only fair and transparent but can also be scientifically proven.

    “Besides the accident site investigation that is usually open to the public, accident investigation entails gathering information from diverse sources including documentations such as maintenance and personnel records, regulatory authority records, flight planning documents and operators manuals.

    “Other sources are recordings such as flight recorders, interviews, direct observations of actions performed by operating or maintenance personnel in their work environment, simulations, specialist advice, safety databases and so on.

    “There are also statutory processes to be engaged before reports are released to the public. All these take time. It is therefore important to appeal to the public and concerned citizens to please show some understanding and patience during air mishaps.

    “It may also be apt to enjoin some people who always try to preempt accident investigations to apply the brake and allow AIB to do its job.”

    Abali said the ongoing amendment of the current regulations would make the document to be more robust, transparent and all inclusive.

    He insisted that review is the livewire of any organisation that is serious about growth and progress, stressing that the agency’s experience in Nigeria and in the globe had made it imperative for the current regulations, which came on board on November 11, 2006 to be reviewed.

    He explained that Nigeria as a country cannot not operate in isolation of others, stressing that it was necessary for it to align itself with happenings in the global aviation industry.

    Abali said regulation is an important tool for carrying out the functions of accident investigation as it sets out the framework for the day-to-day operations of the bureau and added that the bureau’s enabling law, which also domesticated International Civil Aviation Organisation’s, ICAO, Annex 13, formed the bedrock of the regulations.

    He hinted that one of the major mandates and responsibilities of AIB is  to make safety recommendations in case of an incident or accident, but declared that it was not in its purview to enforce compliance, rather, the responsibility of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.

    He added: “We only monitor implementations of our recommendations. Accident investigation process is more complex than many people imagine. So, we must be thorough in our findings and recommendations. There are statutory processes to be engaged before the recommendations are released to the public.”

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika has reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to take the issue of safety and security of all airport users as critical.

    He also expressed that the amendment process had been duly followed as stipulated in the subsisting Regulation, 2006 with the participation of the observer to the bureau’s regulation committee reporting back to the Federal Ministry of Aviation on the amendments.

    Sirika who was represented at the occasion by the Special Adviser, Technical, Capt. Nuhu Musa believed that all relevant amendments by the agency were in conformity with the ICAO Annex 13 on Accident Investigation, which had been included in the first regulations.

    Also, Mrs. Maureen Tsenongo of AIB, in her presentation declared that the essence of the amendment was for the industry to move forward and improve incident or accident investigation. Noting that before the review, technical personnel in AIB took a careful look at the current regulation.

     

  • Lawyers seek release of report of investigation

    Lawyers seek release of report of investigation

    •Fault PDP, Fayose’s attack on DSS

    Lawyers in Abuja have requested the Department of State Service (DSS) to make public the report of the search conducted by its men on one of the guest houses of the Akwa Ibom State Government in Uyo.

    The lawyer, under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Lawyers Forum, said releasing the investigation report would end the doubt over the DSS true intention.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State accused the DSS on Friday, of unlawfully invading Akwa Ibom State Government House.

    The group, led by Leo Ekpeyong, made its position known in Abuja on Saturday. The lawyers condemned “the incessant attacks by the PDP on the DSS for performing its statutory responsibilities.”

    Ekpeyong said the group’s findings showed that the DSS did not invade the Akwa Ibom Governor’s official residence, as alleged by the PDP and Fayose, but a guest house of the state government.

    He said release of the search report would shed light on the actual intention of the DSS and what its men found in their investigation.

    “We urge the leadership of the DSS, under the leadership of Mallam Lawal Daura, who has brought professionalism and expertise in the discharge of its duties, to expedite action in the course of this investigation.

    “We urge the leadership of the DSS to complete its investigation speedily and let Nigerians know the outcome.

    “The safety of the life and property of Nigerians cannot be negotiated. We urge the leadership of the DSS to make public the outcome of its investigation so that Nigerians will know the true state of affairs because it is clear that only the guilty are afraid.

    “We condemn, in strong terms, the incessant attacks on the DSS by the PDP.

    “Contrary to false media reports that the DSS invaded the Akwa Ibom Government House, which is the official residence of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I make bold to say on behalf of the Akwa Ibom Lawyers’ Forum in Abuja that  the DSS gained access to one of the guest houses of the Akwa Ibom State Government and not the official residence of the governor.

    “This was as a result of the intelligence report of incriminating items found in one of the guest houses of Akwa Ibom State government.

    “I want to say that these incessant attacks by the PDP against the DSS is one too many and it is a calculated attempt to obstruct and impede lawful execution of duties within the purview of the DSS?

    “It must be clear that it is no more news in Nigeria that the security situation is becoming embarrassing to the nation, even in the international community.

    “So every well meaning and patriotic Nigerian should be interested in giving support to security forces to stem the tide of recurring insurgency and insecurity,” Ekpeyong said.

  • NFF to continue Keshi investigation

    NFF to continue Keshi investigation

    • Denies PH was rejected

    • Reverts to Abuja for Olympic Qualifying match

    The Nigeria Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee will continue its investigations of Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi even though he has been dropped by the Ivorian Football Federation as one of their candidates to coach the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire.

    The 53-year old Keshi was listed by the Ivorian Football Federation as one of 59 ‘applicants’ for the vacant Cote d ‘ Ivoire coaching job, which prompted an investigation from their Nigerian counterparts, even though Keshi himself denied ever applying for the job.

    The Ivorian Football Federation has since pruned the list down to three, with Keshi’s name missing, but chairman of the NFF Disciplinary Committee, Christopher Green says they will continue their investigations on whether Keshi did apply for the Cote d ‘ Ivoire job.

    “We will continue our investigations,” Green said, “We’re not investigating why he didn’t make the final cut for the Ivoirians, but we’re investigating whether he really did apply for the job.

    “So their decision not to name him in their final list doesn’t affect our investigations, so we shall continue to investigate the matter,” Green added.

    It will be recalled that Keshi had been summoned to appear before the committee last week, where he reiterated his claim of never applying for the Cote d ‘Ivoire job.

    It remains to be seen what the NFF will do at the end of the investigation, but Vice Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Iyke Igbokwe however said they would recommend Keshi’s sack if he’s found ‘guilty’.

    Meanwhile, as the Super Falcons prepare for their 2015 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament match against Equatorial Guinea later this month, scribe of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has revealed that the team will no longer play the match in Port Harcourt.

    The scribe told www.footballlive.ng that logistics issues involved with CAF coming to inspect the stadium and granting approval have led them to reconsider the idea.

    He further revealed that the match venue will be relocated to Abuja, where the previous qualifying matches have been played.

    ” The venue for the Super Falcons game was not rejected but the inspectors have insisted on inspecting the facilities because its a new stadium and a few logistics issues were taken into consideration which made us opt for a return to Abuja.”

  • Ondo APC demands investigation of Ilaje bloody clash

    Ondo APC demands investigation of Ilaje bloody clash

    The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, yesterday called for investigation of violence that erupted in the coastal areas during the recently concluded state assembly election.

    It was learnt that the attack between some Naval officers and suspected political thugs claimed lives.

    Consequently,elections into the two constituencies in the council area have been declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

    An APC leader in the area,Chief Adewale Omojuwa, urged the relevant agencies to look into the immediate and remote cause of the incident for prosecution of the perpetrators.

    “We learnt that some thugs suspected to be supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) clashed  with Naval Officers at Ugbonla which reportedly claimed lives.”

    Omojuwa alleged that the thugs hijacked election materials meant for polling units in Ayetoro community.

    The former chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), said the thugs who armed themselves with offensive weapons also carted away voting materials at Ode-Ugbo.

    He stressed that the same hoodlums invaded Ilowo community and seized money earmarked for mobilisation of party personnel that participated in the conduct of the election.

    Another APC chieftain,Adebowale Ehuwa, said nearly all electoral materials in the affected polling units were hijacked and kept in a secret place where results were written.

    He said the same thing happened in all the units in Ugbo Ward 1, where  the electorate were barred from voting.

    Ehuwa lamented that the report of the incident which claimed lives was yet to be officially made known to the police.

  • Stop hauling suspects to court without thorough investigation, AGF tells EFCC

    •Says FG will no longer accept weak case that can’t sustain conviction

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN) yesterday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to stop hauling suspects to court without painstaking investigation.

    He said the Federal Government will no longer accept weak case that cannot sustain conviction.

    Adoke, who gave the warning in an address at the inauguration of the board of the EFCC, urged the anti-graft agency to respect the rule of law and due process.

    The Minister said: “Let me use this forum to further reiterate the need for professionalism in the discharge of the mandate of the Commission.

    “You must ensure that cases are painstakingly investigated before suspects are charged to court. Government will no longer tolerate cases where suspects are hurriedly charged to court only to be confronted with a weak case that cannot sustain a conviction.

    “Equally important is the need to ensure that the Commission discharges its functions within the confines of the law. I therefore enjoin you to ensure that respect for the rule of law and due process, should at all times, be your guiding principle.

    “Finally, I wish to assure you of Governments continued support and my personal commitment in your determined effort to make a success of your assignment. Considering the pedigree of the appointees to the Commission, supported by the Management team, I have no doubt that the Commission can deliver on its mandate.”

    Adoke urged the board members to lead by example and sustain their personal integrity.

    He added: “The Commission to be inaugurated today has the task of ensuring that the EFCC discharges its statutory mandate effectively and efficiently in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

    “The composition of the Commission, which cuts across all relevant Ministries and Agencies, is to ensure harmony as well as enable the Commission to benefits from the inputs of all agencies relevant to its mandate.

    “This Governing Council has been carefully chosen to ensure that the Commission is provided with the right policy direction needed for improved performance in line with the governing statute and relevant extant policies.

    “I therefore congratulate the Chairman and Members of the Commission on your well-deserved appointment. You will be expected to lead the Commission by example and bring your wealth of experience and expertise to bear on the work of the Commission.

    “In this regard, your personal integrity, commitment and dedication are essential tools for success and the Government will not demand less from you.

    “There is no doubt that Nigerians have long come to the realization that high prevalence of economic and financial crimes is anti-thetical to our developmental objectives as a nation.

    “Government has therefore enacted appropriate legislation and approved Policies and programmes designed to tackle the menace of economic and financial crimes in the country. These are the enactments and policies that you will be expected to rigorously implement to enable us achieve the desired objective.

    The Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, said the board will not disappoint the nation.

    “We will try to discharge our responsibility to the best of our knowledge. To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.

    Members of the newly inaugurated board are Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, Secretary to the Commission; Emmanuel Ibitolu; Uwasomba Udochukwu; Ismaila Mohammed Dukku and Michael Ebong.

  • $1.092b Malabu oil deal: I’m ready for transparent investigation, says AGF

    $1.092b Malabu oil deal: I’m ready for transparent investigation, says AGF

    ATTORNEY-General Mohammed Bello Adoke is ready for a transparent $1.092 billion Malabu oil deal.

    Adoke spoke yesterday on the role of the Federal Government, its agencies and officials in Oil Block 245, saying it was essentially that of facilitator of the resolution of a long standing dispute between Malabu and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD).

    He said in Abuja that the resolution of the lingering dispute over Block 245 was in furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to attracting investments in the oil and gas sector.

    He said he did not act contrary to public interest in resolving Malabu oil dispute.

    He said he suspected that the controversy generated by the alleged report of the House of Representatives into the deal was meant to bring the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and relevant agencies of Government to infamy.

    Adoke, who made his position known in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ambrose Momoh, said the Malabu deal predated his appointment as the AGF.

    The statement said: “The attention of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to the alleged Report of the House of Representatives Committee on the transaction involving the Federal Government and Shell/Agip Companies, and Malabu oil and Gas Limited in respect of Oil Block OPL 245, part of which has been serialised in the print media.

    “Furthermore, it is reported that the Attorney General of the Federation had stated that he was cleared by the alleged Report of the Committee for the role played by his Office in facilitating the settlement between Malabu Oil & Gas Limited (Malabu) and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) over their long–standing dispute over the ownership and right to operate Block 245.

    “In view of the misrepresentations and obvious mischief in reporting the role of the Federal Government, its agencies and officials in the settlement of the dispute, it has become necessary to issue this statement so as to set the records straight and properly explain the role played by the Federal Government, its agencies and officials in settlement of the dispute.

    “It is apposite to state that although the dispute between Malabu and SNUD predates Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, CFR in office, available records reveal that the Federal Government in furtherance of its Indigenous Exploration Programme Policy introduced in the early 1990s to encourage effective development of indigenous capability in the upstream sector of the oil industry, allocated Oil Blocks to indiginous Oil and Gas Companies which they were expected to develop in partnership with international oil companies as Technical Partners.

    “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation had in the recent past reiterated Government’s commitment to attract investment in the oil and gas sector of the economy and encourage genuine investors (local and foreign) by creating the enabling environment for their business to thrive.

    “The resolution of the lingering dispute over Block 245 was in furtherance of that objective. Accordingly, the FGN, its agencies and officials should not be dragged into a purely commercial dispute between Malabu and its purported partners.

    On his alleged clearance by a report of the House of Representatives over the deal, Adoke added that there was no time he made such a disclosure.

    The statement said: “When the Attorney General of the Federation appeared before the House of Representatives Committee, which investigated the transaction, he explained his role in facilitating the settlement and the Committee members were satisfied with his explanations.

    “This was what the Attorney General of the Federation referred to when he stated that the Committee was satisfied with his explanations. The Attorney General of the Federation did not make reference to any ‘Report’ of the Committee, as none had been made available to him.

    “It is, therefore, clear that the alleged ‘Report’ and the controversy it has generated is a calculated attempt to bring the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and relevant agencies of Government to infamy because of the principled stance the government took to resolve the dispute in a reasonable, fair and equitable manner.

    “The outrage against the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation is understandable when viewed against his refusal to compromise his office in order to satisfy the demands of certain interests and individuals.

    “We know those who have compromised their positions in order to author the alleged ‘Report’ and their theatrical display for public gallery.

    “We also know those secretly beating the drums for masquerades dancing in the market square. We shall confront them at the appropriate forum. How else can one explain why the ownership of shares in a private company would generate sufficient interest among members of the legislature so as to merit a resolution of a Committee that certain persons or companies are entitled to ownership of shares in a private company, when the courts are the appropriate venue for the ventilation of such disputes between shareholders (if any).

    “Finally, we wish to assure Nigerians that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not act contrary to public interest in facilitating the settlement and at all times material to the transaction, ensured that the settlement was conducted in the best interest of all parties in order to achieve a reasonable, fair and equitable outcome.

    “The Attorney General of the Federation is, therefore, ready to be subjected to any transparent investigative process in order to unearth the truth.”

    The statement explained how the deal was struck and the dispute occurred.

    It said: “Malabu, an indigenous oil and gas company, was allocated OPL 245 in April, 1998 and in accordance with the terms of the grant, it appointed SNUD as its technical partner.

    “The two companies executed relevant Agreements, including a Joint Operation Agreement in 2001. Records indicate that SNUD took 40% participating interests in the venture in a farm-in- agreement and also signed agreement with Malabu as its technical partner for the venture.

    “Although Malabu was issued a licence for Block 245 in April 2001, the same licence was subsequently revoked by the Federal Government on 2nd July, 2001. Exxon-Mobil and Shell were then invited in April 2002 to bid for OPL 245, despite the existence of subsisting contractual agreements between Malabu and SNUD with respect to OPL 245.

    “Malabu was dissatisfied with the revocation and contended 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.

    “Malabu also contended that the subsequent re-award of OPL 245 to SNUD by the Federal Government was done under questionable circumstances. It then petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum to look into the matter. It is important to note that 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.

    “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 to enforce its claim to OPL 245.

    Although the suit was struck out by the FHC, Malabu proceeded to lodge Appeal No. CA/A/99M/2006 before the Court Appeal, Abuja, Division. During the pendency of the Appeal, an amicable settlement was entered into between Malabu and the Federal Government and in compliance with the Terms of Settlement executed by the Parties on the 30th of November 2006, OPL 245 was fully and completely restored to Malabu, in consideration for its withdrawal of the Appeal.

    “Apparently dissatisfied with the Terms of Settlement between the Federal Government and Malabu, SNUD commenced arbitral proceedings against the decision of the Federal Government to restore/re-allocate OPL 245 to Malabu at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Washington DC, and made representations to government on the impending arbitration. It also commenced a suit against the government before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “Although several meetings were held between the Presidency, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, SNUD and Malabu, to resolve the dispute, no satisfactory outcome was achieved.

    “Attempts were also made in 2007 to resolve the dispute by a Committee comprising the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Minister of Energy, Group Managing Director, NNPC and DPR, the issues could not be amicably resolved before the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua GCFR came to power.

    “It is also important to note that SNUD had entered into a Production Sharing Contract with the NNPC in 2004 upon which their claim to OPL 245 was anchored and had paid $1Million US Dollars out of the $210 Million US Dollars signature bonus to the Federal Government, and kept the balance of $209 Million US dollars in an Escrow Account with J.P. Morgan, pending the resolution of the dispute between Malabu and the Federal Government.

    “In 2010, when this administration came to power, Malabu again petitioned the Federal Government to implement the terms of the out-of-court settlement of 30th November 2006 on the basis of which they had discontinued their Appeal.

    “Government also took cognisance of the pending cases instituted by SNUD against Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and/or Malabu, including Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) arbitration No. ARB/ 07/18 pending at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID Arbitration) to enforce SNUD’s rights to exclusively operate Block 245 as Contractor on the basis of the 2003 Production Sharaing Contract(PSC) between NNPC and SNUD, and the financial implications of defending these actions on the public purse and opted for amicable resolution of the dispute.

    “To resolve all the contending claims in a satisfactory and holistic manner, due regard was given to the Terms of Settlement of 30th November 2006 which had been reduced to Orders of the Court, the underlying policy of encouraging the participation indigenous oil and gas companies in the upstream sector of the oil industry and the fact that Shell had substantially de-risked Block 245.

    “To accommodate all these interests, a Resolution Agreement dated 29th April, 2011 between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Malabu Oil & Gas Limited was executed wherein the FGN agreed to resolve all the issues with Malabu in respect of Block 245 amicably and Malabu also agreed that in consideration of receiving compensation from the FGN it would settle and waive any and all claims to any interest in OPL 245.

    “In furtherance of the Resolution Agreement, SNUD and ENI agreed to pay Malabu through the Federal Government acting as an obligor, the sum of US$ 1,092,040,000 billion in full and final settlement of any and all claims, interests or rights relating to or in connection with Block 245 and Malabu agreed to settle and waive any and all claims, interests or rights relating to or in connection with Block 245 and also consented to the re-allocation of Block 245 to Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO).

    “It is, therefore, quite evident from the foregoing that the role played by the Federal Government, its agencies and officials in relation to Block 245 was essentially that of facilitator of the resolution of a long standing dispute between Malabu and SNUD over the ownership and right to operate Block 245.

    “At all times material to the resolution of the dispute, the Federal Government was not aware of any subsisting third party interest in Malabu’s claim to OPL 245 and neither did any person or company apply to be joined in the negotiations as an interested party until the resolution of the dispute was concluded.”