The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi has dismissed charges of fraudulent conduct related to 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 charges were brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Adoke, along with Aliyu Abubakar, Gbinije of Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd, Shell Ultra Deep Nigeria Ltd, and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo), was charged on January 15, 2020.
The former AGF was accused of receiving a gratification of N300m from Abubakar in relation to the OPL 245 resolution, but he denied all allegations.
However, after considering a “no case” submission from Adoke, Justice Abubakar Kutigi ruled that the EFCC did not provide enough evidence to support its charges and concluded that the defendant is not required to present a defense.
The former minister was cleared of all charges.
The judge criticized the poorly written and prosecuted charge, advising the prosecuting counsel to avoid submitting similar charges in the future.
The controversy dates back to April 9, 1998, when the Federal Military Government awarded OPL 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd, reportedly owned by Mohammed Abacha, son of former military ruler Sani Abacha, and Dan Etete, who served as the petroleum minister at the time.
Subsequently, President Olusegun Obasanjo revoked Malabu’s license and transferred the oil block to Shell.
Malabu then pursued legal action, leading to the restoration of ownership in 2006 following an out-of-court settlement with the Federal Government.
