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.”