In a landmark decision, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi has dismissed charges of fraudulent conduct in the handling of Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, also known as the Malabu Oil deal, against former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke. The case, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, accused Adoke of receiving a gratification of N300m from Aliyu Abubakar over the OPL 245 resolution. However, Adoke vehemently denied all allegations.
After a thorough review, Justice Abubakar Kutigi ruled in favor of Adoke’s “no case” submission, stating that the EFCC failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their charges. As a result, the defendant was acquitted of all counts. The judge also criticized the drafting and prosecution of the charges, urging the prosecuting counsel to be more diligent in the future.
The Malabu Oil deal dates back to April 9, 1998, when the Federal Military Government awarded OPL 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd, a company reportedly owned by Mohammed Abacha and Dan Etete. Following a series of legal battles, including a license revocation by President Olusegun Obasanjo, ownership of the oil block was eventually returned to Malabu in 2006 after reaching an out-of-court settlement with the Federal Government.
This case has been a long-standing controversy in Nigeria’s oil industry, highlighting the complex nature of resource allocation and ownership. The dismissal of charges against Adoke marks a significant development in this ongoing saga, shedding light on the challenges of combating corruption and ensuring transparency in the country’s energy sector.
