Mohammed Bello Adoke, former attorney-general of the
federation, acted within the law and cannot be held liable for
obeying a presidential directive in the resolution of the OPL 245
dispute with Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, a federal high court
sitting in Abuja ruled on Friday.
Adoke had in May 2017 asked the federal high court to declare
that he acted on former President Goodluck Jonathan’s instruction
in the $1.1 billion oil deal.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed
charges of corruption against Adoke, Dan Etete, former petroleum
minister; Aliyu Abubakar, a businessman, and Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd
at a federal high court in Abuja.
Adoke was accused of giving wrong legal counsel to the federal
government over the resolution of the dispute.
The sale of the OPL 245, which is considered as one of the most
lucrative on the continent, has been replete with allegations and
lawsuits.
Adoke has consistently maintained that he acted on the
instruction of Jonathan.
Following the EFCC action, the former attorney-general, who says
he is a victim of witch-hunt, through Kanu Agabi, his counsel,
asked the court to declare that he acted in good faith when he got
involved in the negotiation for the oil block.
He also asked the court to declare his prosecution illegal, null
and void.
More details later
Mohammed Bello Adoke, former attorney-general of the
federation, acted within the law and cannot be held liable for
obeying a presidential directive in the resolution of the OPL 245
dispute with Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, a federal high court
sitting in Abuja ruled on Friday.
Adoke had in May 2017 asked the federal high court to declare
that he acted on former President Goodluck Jonathan’s instruction
in the $1.1 billion oil deal.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed
charges of corruption against Adoke, Dan Etete, former petroleum
minister; Aliyu Abubakar, a businessman, and Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd
at a federal high court in Abuja.
Adoke was accused of giving wrong legal counsel to the federal
government over the resolution of the dispute.
The sale of the OPL 245, which is considered as one of the most
lucrative on the continent, has been replete with allegations and
lawsuits.
Adoke has consistently maintained that he acted on the
instruction of Jonathan.
Following the EFCC action, the former attorney-general, who says
he is a victim of witch-hunt, through Kanu Agabi, his counsel,
asked the court to declare that he acted in good faith when he got
involved in the negotiation for the oil block.
He also asked the court to declare his prosecution illegal, null
and void.
More details later
Read more https://nairalaw.com/just-in-adoke-has-no-case-to-answer-over-opl-245-court-rules/