Reps invite Jonathan over Malabu oil deal

… Ex-President must give evidence on oil deal –
Lawmakers

The House of Representatives on Wednesday insisted that former
President Goodluck Jonathan must give evidence on his role in the
controversial $1 billion Malabu Oil deal.

A statement issued by the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee
probing the alleged corruption, malpractices and breach of process
in the award of OPL 245, Hon. Razak Atunwa, said they would write
the former President to come and defend himself on the
allegations.

The statement reads: “The Ad-hoc Committee on OPL 245 met to
consider the progress of the Committee’s work and the next steps to
be taken.

“The Committee noted that it had conducted extensive
investigation into the OPL 245 saga and that it is drawing to a
close.

“However, 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 $1bn
funds diversion.

Mr. Jonathan’s name features in the proceedings initiated by the
Public Prosecutor of Milan in Italy.

“A UK 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 pleaded that all his actions were as instructed by
former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution,
the Committee has decided to request that former President Goodluck
Jonathan give evidence on his role in the matter. The Secretariat
will write to him asking for his response and submissions.”

… Ex-President must give evidence on oil deal –
Lawmakers

The House of Representatives on Wednesday insisted that former
President Goodluck Jonathan must give evidence on his role in the
controversial $1 billion Malabu Oil deal.

A statement issued by the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee
probing the alleged corruption, malpractices and breach of process
in the award of OPL 245, Hon. Razak Atunwa, said they would write
the former President to come and defend himself on the
allegations.

The statement reads: “The Ad-hoc Committee on OPL 245 met to
consider the progress of the Committee’s work and the next steps to
be taken.

“The Committee noted that it had conducted extensive
investigation into the OPL 245 saga and that it is drawing to a
close.

“However, 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 $1bn
funds diversion.

Mr. Jonathan’s name features in the proceedings initiated by the
Public Prosecutor of Milan in Italy.

“A UK 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 pleaded that all his actions were as instructed by
former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution,
the Committee has decided to request that former President Goodluck
Jonathan give evidence on his role in the matter. The Secretariat
will write to him asking for his response and submissions.”