Adoke welcomes FG’s implementation of OPL 245 agreement, demands apology over past persecution
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to implement the OPL 245 Resolution Agreements nearly 15 years after the
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to implement the OPL 245 Resolution Agreements nearly 15 years after the disputes surrounding the oil block were settled.
Adoke, in a statement, said the development vindicates the position taken by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which sought to resolve the protracted disputes among parties involved and return the oil-rich asset to productive use.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for taking steps to resolve the long-standing issue, describing the move as being in the national interest and reflective of statesmanship.
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According to Adoke, the decision demonstrates the President’s understanding of the country’s economic structure and the strategic importance of the oil block to Nigeria’s broader economic objectives.
The former minister, however, criticised the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of criminalising efforts made during the Jonathan administration to resolve disputes arising from the oil block's revocation.
He traced the origin of the dispute to the unilateral revocation of the block in 2002 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Adoke lamented facing local and international humiliation and defamation for his role in resolving the matter as Attorney-General, insisting that the actions taken were in the national interest.
He argued that Nigeria’s economy would have benefited more if the agreements had been implemented earlier, rather than being stalled by what he described as uninformed interventions and anti-corruption campaigns during the Buhari administration.
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The former Attorney-General said he believes he deserves an unreserved apology from the Federal Government for what he described as nine years of persecution and humiliation linked to his involvement in the dispute's resolution.
Despite the experience, Adoke said he has forgiven those he believes contributed to the damage to his reputation, noting that he considers the episode part of the sacrifices associated with public service.
He added that his faith in Nigeria remains unshaken.
