MALABU SCANDAL: Why AGF Malami Seeks Buhari’s Intervention

Contrary to insinuations in the media that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to discontinue the prosecution of the principal actors in the Malabu scandal, facts have emerged on why Malami sought the president’s intervention.

Some section of the media, quoting a letter written by Malami to President Buhari, had reported that the AGF wants the case discontinued and asked the president to urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to drop the case.

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The controversy over the Malabu oil deal began in 2011 during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan, when the Federal Government approved the purchase of the OPL 245 oil block by Shell and Agip-Eni from Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd., a suspected briefcase firm with ties to Dan Etete, who was Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 1995 to 1998.

The Jonathan administration officials who participated in the negotiation preceding the controversial sale of the massive oil block included Mohammed Bello Adoke, Attorney-General at the time; and Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was petroleum minister.

The EFCC has since filed charges of fraud and criminal conspiracy against Mr. Adoke, Mr. Etete and their alleged accomplices since 2016. Both have denied any wrongdoing.

But after reviewing the case and the proof of evidence against those charged by the EFCC, the attorney general in a letter to President Buhari stated that the EFCC’s case against the principal actors in the scandal was weak and inadequate to secure conviction of the accused.

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A Presidency source who spoke on the letter told THE WHISTLER that the AGF’s letter was reported out of context, adding that Malami did not ask that the case be discontinued.

“The idea behind the letter is to present options available to government in relation to the issue, inclusive of either improving on the inadequacies of the EFCC’s investigations or taking advantage of available window of opportunity to attract investment thereby improving government’s revenue profile through negotiating resumption of production in the oil field,

“The AGF only suggested a pragmatic approach to the problem; one that factored in the federal government policy of attracting foreign investments coupled with the fact an asset that could have enhanced the revenue of the government is left unexploited on account of protracted litigation.”

The source said the thrust of the letter is not about terminating the trial but about ensuring the country gets maximum benefit derivable from its assets.

“It is about taking a decision that is beneficial to the nation and most appropriate in the circumstances we have found ourselves, especially when viewed against the background of the quality and strength of the investigations done so far,

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“Discontinuance or termination of the case was not the underlying consideration but the national interest; the beneficial course available to the nation.”

Buttressing the argument, the source makes reference to the letter written by the AGF to the Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, advising the anti-graft body to intensify its investigations on the case with a view to addressing the inadequacies highlighted in the investigation report.

“This is to enhance the chances of the success of the charge as filed,” he explained.

A government counsel in the AGF’s office who spoke on condition of anonymity said it is the duty of the AGF to give the government legal advice and one that is in the best interest of the country.

“That is exactly what the AGF has done, and nowhere in the letter did he advise that the charges be dropped and the accused allowed to walk free. He only advised that the prosecution do a more diligent job.”

Suleiman wrote in from Abuja

 

 

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Whistler NG

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