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From: Kemi Yesufu, Abuja
Chairman House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged corruption, malpractices and breach of due process in the award of OPL 245, Razak Atunwa, has described the appearance of former president Goodluck Jonathan before the committee as key to finally resolving the controversy around the deal.
Atunwa also announced, on Wednesday, during a press briefing by the committee that the former president will soon be written, requesting that he gives evidence on his role on the allocation of the oil well better known as the Malabu oil deal.
The lawmaker explained that the Committee having conducted extensive investigation into the OPL 245 deal, it would be proper to conclude work on the matter with a testimony from the ex-president.
“The Committee is of the view that in the interest of thoroughness, natural justice and fair play, it imperative that evidence should be taken from former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“In arriving at this decision, the Committee took account of the following facts: Mr. Jonathan was the President at the material time the Ministers brokered the deal that lead to the allegation of $1 billion diversion of funds;
“Mr Jonathan’s name features in the proceedings initiated by the Public Prosecutor of Milan in Italy.
“A United Kingdom Court Judgment in relation to an application to return part of the money being restrained, castigated the Jonathan Administration as not having acted in the best interest of Nigeria in relation to the ‘deal.
“The Attorney-General of the Federation at the material time, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has recently instituted proceedings in court wherein he pleads that all his actions were as as instructed by former President Goodluck Jonathan”, he said.
Daily Sun had reported on plans by the Committee to meet on Tuesday 13 to decide on when the former president will be invited to appear before it. But the lawmakers sifted meeting to Tuesday July 4 and also met briefly yesterday before Atunwa read out the committee’s statement to reporters.
Followed media reports on the intention of the House to invite him for questioning, the former president denied any wrongdoing, saying , he did not receive bribe with regard to deal.
The former president, who spoke through his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, debunked claims that he received a $200 million kick-back from the 1.3 billion payments made by International Oil Companies for access to the highly lucrative oil block.
Before Wednesday’s briefing, Atunwa had in April issued a statement stressing that the former president’s testimony will greatly assist in conducting a conclusive investigation on the matter, especially as recent events within and outside the country linked him to the deal.
Daily Sun had also reported on Wednesday April 11, that the Committee recommended that Jonathan as the country’s leader at the period when the Federal Government tried to bring an end to the controversy around the sale of OPL 245 , should explain how government arrived at the decision to payout $1.1 billion.
This paper equally reported that the committee is recommending that former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison- Madueke be put up for trial for her role in the deal.
Others recommended for prosecution by the ad hoc committee include the former Attorney- General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke who allegedly drafted the agreement and also argued that the payment was in the interest of the Nigerian people, one Mr. Abubakar Alleel who was said to have acted as a conduit through which the money was disbursed; SHELL/ ENI/NAE for their role in the fraud particularly as they were already facing investigations on the issue abroad, and Olusegun Aganga former Finance Minister was also recommended for trial.
The recommendation that Alison Madueke be tried was based on the ground, that the transfer of the said funds was approved through an escrow account allegedly opened by herself and Adoke through two Nigerian banks ( names withheld).
But Adoke has denied any wrongdoing, saying the transaction was approved by former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.
The former minister in a March 6 letter written to his successor, Abubakar Malami (SAN) said he only implemented presidential directives on the matter.
But in a sharp response, President Obasanjo warned Adoke to desist from linking him to the controversial deal as he would not participate in any corrupt act.
