Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), for faulting his recent commentary on the federal government’s handling of the OPL 245 dispute.
On March 5, the presidency announced the conclusion of a
settlement agreement involving the federal government, Eni, and Nigerian Agip
Exploration Limited (NAEL).
The AGF described the development as a milestone in
repositioning Nigeria’s economic landscape.
However, Abubakar, in a statement on Sunday, dismissed the claimed resolution as “nothing more than political theatrics,” insisting the matter is “far from resolved” and remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
He also alleged that key stakeholders were excluded from the
process, warning that “a government that sidelines critical stakeholders,
disregards pending judicial processes, and proceeds to celebrate a disputed
agreement demonstrates not strength, but recklessness”.
Responding on Wednesday, Fagbemi described Abubakar’s
position as misrepresenting what he called a “landmark achievement” in
resolving a dispute that has lingered for nearly three decades.
The AGF further claimed that opposition to the deal was
“both revealing and deeply concerning,” adding that persistent criticisms
“strongly suggest they are driven not by patriotism or objective reasoning, but
by undisclosed and self-serving interests”.
‘OUR POSITION GROUNDED IN PUBLIC RECORDS’
In a statement on Thursday by Paul Ibe, his media aide,
Abubakar, fired back at the AGF, asserting that no amount of rhetoric can
settle the disputed oil contracts.
Abubakar described Fagbemi’s remarks as “misleading and an
attempt to divert attention from the substantive legal and factual issues
surrounding the so-called ‘resolution’ of the OPL 245 dispute”.
The former vice-president insisted that his stance is
“firmly grounded” in publicly available documents, including the pre-action
notice issued by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited to relevant authorities, which
raises serious legal objections to the purported settlement.
“These documents clearly show that key stakeholders have
disputed the legitimacy of the claimed resolution, stating unequivocally that
they were neither consulted nor involved in any negotiation process, and that
multiple suits on the asset remain pending before competent courts,” the
statement reads.
“It is not only disingenuous but deeply troubling for the
Attorney-General to dismiss legitimate concerns—rooted in documented legal
processes—as ‘self-interest.”
Abubakar added that in any constitutional democracy, raising
questions based on verifiable records is not opposition, but a responsibility,
which he claimed, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has abandoned.
He noted that the stakes are too high for political spin,
noting that “OPL 245 is not a mere talking point, but one of the most
consequential oil assets in Nigeria, long entangled in complex litigation and
international scrutiny”.
“What Nigerians deserve is transparency, adherence to due
process, and respect for ongoing judicial proceedings—not premature
declarations of victory or attempts to silence scrutiny with cheap and weak
propaganda,” the statement added.
“For the record, I do not have an interest in OPL 245, have
never had an interest, and will never have an interest in OPL 245.”
He added that his intervention is “guided solely by the
public interest and the need to uphold the rule of law,” noting that “no amount
of rhetoric can erase the existence of pending legal disputes or invalidate
concerns already raised by affected parties through formal legal channels”.
“If anything, the Attorney-General’s response underscores
the very need for greater openness and accountability. Nigeria cannot build
credibility—locally or internationally—by ignoring documented facts or
dismissing legitimate questions,” the statement reads.
“The rule of law must remain supreme. Meanwhile, the
Attorney-General may do well to address the substantive issues raised in our
earlier intervention instead of resorting to propaganda.”
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