AGF’s absence stalls Reps’ probe of OPL 245 transaction

[MrVan]

By Emman    Ovuakporie

ABUJA—INVESTIGATION into the transaction between the Federal Government, Shell, Agip and Malabu Oil & Gas Limited in respect of an oil bloc, OPL 245, was stalled, yesterday, due to the absence of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, at the public hearing.

The AGF, who wrote to the House Ad-Hoc Commitee investigating the transaction, said he was unavoidably absent because he had to attend the last minute efforts of the government to review the 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, on the ownership of Bakassi Peninsula.

The investigation could also not proceed because the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Deziani Allison-Madueke, and Minister of State, Finance, Alhaji Yerima Ngama, who were in attendance, had no presentations.

The two ministers were unable to provide the committee with position papers on the sale of OPL 245 because of some communication gaps.

They argued that the letters the Committee claimed to have written to them requesting for position papers did not reach their desks.

Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, who was expected to brief the committee investigating the transaction was also absent.

Chairman of the Committee, Leo Ogor, said the investigation could not proceed in the absence of the key personalities and documents relevant to the exercise.

Vanguard Nigeria

[KingFemzee]

Hope the are not trying to stall the investigation to cover up any corruption that may be involved.