OPL 245: Adoke Welcomes FG Settlement, Says He Deserves Apology

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has reacted to the Federal Government’s resolution of the long-running dispute over Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, describing the decision as a vindication of actions taken during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Adoke made the remarks in a statement issued on Friday after the government confirmed it had reached a settlement with Eni and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited regarding the oil block.

He said he “wholeheartedly” supported the implementation of agreements that were concluded years ago to resolve the contentious matter.

“I wholeheartedly welcome the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to finally implement the OPL 245 Resolution Agreements nearly 15 years after the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan resolved the knotty disputes between the concerned parties and tried to set the oil-rich block on the path to productivity,” Adoke stated.

The former justice minister also praised President Bola Tinubu for resolving the issue, noting that the decision showed a strong grasp of Nigeria’s economic interests.

“I also commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for finally resolving this thorny issue in the national interest and in the spirit of statesmanship. This is a testimony to the fact that he fully understands how the economy works and the importance of the oil-rich asset to the attainment of national economic goals,” he said.

Adoke, however, faulted the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of criminalising efforts made to resolve the dispute.

“This is a further indictment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration who decided to scandalise and criminalise the hard work we did in the national interest to resolve the disputes caused by the unilateral revocation of the oil block by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2002,” he said.

He added that his role in the settlement process subjected him to years of public criticism and legal challenges.

“It is most unfortunate that I was subjected to humiliation and defamation home and abroad for the patriotic role I played as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in resolving the dispute to get this vital national asset working,” Adoke stated.

According to him, Nigeria’s economy would have benefited earlier if the previous administration had not revisited the issue.

“If the Buhari administration and the trophy-hunting anti-corruption activists had not dragged the country backwards with their uninformed intervention, the Nigerian economy would have been far better off today,” he added.

Adoke said the latest development strengthened his demand for an apology from the Federal Government.

“I strongly believe that I deserve an unreserved apology from the Federal Government for the persecution and humiliation I was subjected for nine years and the scar I still bear in my body simply because I advised the Goodluck Jonathan administration to do the right thing on the oil block,” he said.

Although the controversy lasted several years, the former minister said he had forgiven those who criticised him.

“Nevertheless, I forgive all those who connived to smear my name across the world. I take it as part of the burden of service to my fatherland. I remain steadfast and unshaken in my belief in Nigeria,” he added.

A 2022 ruling by the Commercial Court of England found no evidence of fraud in the OPL 245 transaction between Nigeria and JP Morgan Chase Bank.

The settlement announced by President Tinubu on Thursday is expected to unlock fresh investment and development in the deepwater oil field.

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