SAN FRANCISCO, July 04, (THEWILL) – The Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration will not “prosecute or take legal action against person or persons indicted by the report” of the House of Representatives Committee that investigated government’s fraud-marred subsidy scheme where over N400 billion was stolen by thieves posing as fuel contractors.
The federal government’s position was contained in a counter affidavit deposed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) by Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye, a counsel in the Chambers of Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who alongside Mr. Damien Dodo (SAN) are representing the AGF and the federal government of Nigeria in a suit instituted by Integrated Oil and Gas Limited against government seeking to stop it from implementing the recommendations contained in the report of the Farouk Lawan led House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on fuel subsidy.
“The report of the committee which is a fact finding committee will be studied and given to relevant agencies of government but it will not prosecute or take legal action against the person or persons indicted by the report,” the AGF wrote in its counter affidavit seen by THEWILL.
Recall that President Jonathan had in a statement on July 01, 2012, described as false comments and insinuations coming particularly from the opposition and many Nigerians both home and in diaspora that his administration has been soft in its fight against corruption.
Addressing fears that the House report would be swept under the carpet, President Jonathan in the statement by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati reaffirmed that, “there will be no sacred cows in the matter and that any organisation or individual found guilty of fraud or corruption will ultimately face the full weight of sanctions prescribed by the extant laws of the country.”
Who do we now believe? The President or the chief custodian of the law?
The committee in its report had indicted Integrated Oil and Gas and asked it to refund N13.2 billion naira to the federal government.
Several other companies were indicted by the report though its suspended chairman, Honourable Farouk Lawan is presently battling allegations of bribery.
However Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court today restrained the federal government from implementing the recommendations of the House report pending the determination of the suit.
The court order was based on a deal reached by all the parties that no action would be taken against the firm until the court delivers its judgement.
Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) represented Integrated Oil and Gas Limited.
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