Abuja: Chief Kanu Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a former Attorney-General of the Federation (A-GF) and Minister of Justice, has alleged that criminals often go unpunished. At the same time, the innocent are frequently subjected to prolonged legal ordeals in Nigeria.
Agabi made the allegation on Thursday in Abuja, during the presentation of a book titled “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block.”
The book is authored by Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN), also a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
In a keynote address, Agabi, who was represented by Mr Paul Erokoro (SAN), described the allegations levelled against Adoke about the controversial Malabu oil deal as a miscarriage of justice.
“There’s something called the post office scandal in the UK, it is described as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in their history. I can confidently say that what happened to Adoke is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our country,” he said.
Agabi said, despite international recognition and legal backing for Adoke’s actions in the OPL 245 transaction, the Nigerian government defamed him.
“You would think that a government, after such widespread allegations, would present a compelling case, but it was an anti-climax,” he said.
He recalled similar cases, citing that of Bode George, a former military Governor of Ondo state, whose conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court, declaring that he should never have been charged in the first place.
“It’s unfortunate, actual criminals are not being prosecuted, but the innocent get dragged through,” he said.
Agabi traced the roots of the OPL 245 deal to the regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha.
He noted that Shell and Eni later agreed to acquire the oil block, which is believed to hold approximately nine billion barrels of crude.
Agabi said the transaction was settled during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, following disputes and legal battles with multinational oil companies.
“The judgment of the English court praised Adoke for going out of his way to protect Nigeria from embarrassment and massive financial losses,” he said.
In his remarks, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State described the book as a critical record of Nigeria’s oil sector and a personal testimony from someone who bore institutional responsibility during a turbulent period.
Makinde stated that the Malabu deal was not just about the oil block, but also reflected how public resources are managed in Nigeria.
“This book is not only necessary, it is brave. History must be documented, contested and clarified,” he said.
Makinde stated that the OPL 245 block, with its estimated nine billion barrels of crude oil, has the potential to impact Nigeria’s GDP outlook significantly.
“This is why it attracted international litigation and controversy,” he said.
He noted that the book provides names, dates, context and consequences, offering valuable insight into how high-value projects are managed amid complex legal and political interests.
Sen. Bukola Saraki, former President of the Senate, said the book highlights the importance of the rule of law and accountability in public office.
“What Adoke is saying is that he was a victim of abuse of the rule of law, and I am sure he is not alone,” Saraki said.
Also speaking, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, commended Adoke for documenting his experience.
“This book is more than a memoir. It is a factual account that sets the record straight. As someone who has been in business, I was privy to the truth behind the OPL 245 transaction,” Nnaji said.
The 26-chapter book on the OPL 245, also known as the Malabu oil deal scandal, centres on a 2011 agreement on a deep water oil licence
In the agreement, Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni paid $ 1.3 billion to acquire Nigeria’s deep-water oil licence OPL 245, a block believed to hold 9 billion barrels of crude.
Recall that in 2020, the Federal Government preferred a 40-count charge against Adoke, related to fraudulent transactions involving the Malibu oil contract.
After a four-year prolonged trial, Justice Abubakar Kutigi of an FCT High Court, however, discharged Adoke and his co-defendants upon their lawyers’ no-case submission.