The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN),
on Sunday gave an insight into why the Federal Government at a
point decided to negotiate with Process and Industrial Developments
Limited, despite being aware that the contract for which a United
Kingdom court had ordered the firm to seize $9.6bn in Nigerian
assets was fraudulent.
He said the government took the decision because, at the
inception of the present administration, there was already an award
and the timeline for government to appeal had elapsed.
Malami spoke at a press conference in Abuja.
He said since the previous government of the Peoples Democratic
Party did not appeal, the option left for the administration as of
the time was to negotiate, despite its reservations about the
contract.
He also said the previous administration and the lawyers it
hired should be blamed for the court case instituted on the matter
in a Nigerian court, which was struck out due to lack of diligent
prosecution.
“Even if, indeed, any case was struck out, it was out at a time
when lawyers engaged by the previous administration were in
charge,” he said.
On ongoing investigation into the matter, which he described as
intensive and extensive, Malami said there was no limitation on who
can be invited for questioning by the relevant security
agencies.
He said those to be probed include those who were involved in
drafting and signing of the agreement, conduct, trial and “other
personalities of interest.”
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