SAN FRANCISCO, February 14, (THEWILL) – Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) Limited and Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, two multi-national companies named in the Malabu Oil deal, are seeking to revoke the January 26 order granting temporary control of Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245 to the Federal Government.
THEWILL recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had obtained a court order which allows the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to manage the OPL 245 on behalf of the Federal Government, pending the conclusion of investigation and prosecution of “SNEPCO, Agip and other individuals named in connection with acts of conspiracy, bribery, official corruption and money laundering” contained in some charges already filed in court.
The EFCC, while applying for the order, explained the alleged role played by Shell and Agip in the transaction, through which some highly placed Nigerians, including ex-ministers, and multinational oil companies purportedly defrauded the country of billions of dollars.
The commission also revealed how former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Adoke allegedly aided the payment of $1.2b bribe to ex-Petroleum Resources Minister Dan Etete, using his position in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Satisfied with the argument of the Commission, the court granted the order ex-parte allowing the Federal Government take ownership of the oil field.
Shell and Agip have however filed applications seeking the vacation of the order, arguing that the court was misled into granting it.
This was disclosed when the case was called yesterday before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as lawyers to Shell and Agip, Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN) and Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN), informed the court about their pending applications.
EFCC lawyer Jonson Ojoggbane confirmed that both applications were served on him, but that he was yet to respond to them. He sought a short adjournment to enable him address the applications and put forward the EFCC’s position to enable the court reach a just conclusion.
The judge adjourned till February 27 for hearing of the applications.
