
The family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has vehemently opposed assertions by the Federal Government that all legal disputes concerning ownership of Malabu Oil and Gas have been resolved, sparking a contentious legal standoff.
In a protest letter addressed to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, and received at the Attorney General's and Oil Minister’s offices on July 5, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Reuben Okpanachi Atabo, representing the Abacha family, issued a 14-day ultimatum. The letter demands that Lokpobiri retract his alleged false claim or face contempt of court charges.
The controversy stems from remarks reportedly made by Minister Lokpobiri during the Nigerian Oil and Gas Energy Week in Abuja, where he stated that negotiations had concluded to settle disputes over Oil Mining License (OML 245), and that the oil block would soon resume production to attract significant investments.
However, the Abacha family asserts that multiple court cases regarding the ownership of Malabu Oil and Gas are still pending, undermining the minister's statement. They argue that previous agreements, which led to the sale of OPL 245 to Shell and Eni for $1.3 billion in 2011, were conducted without their representation or benefit.
“Our Clients’ attention has been drawn to the remarks made...to the effect that all legal issues relating to OPL 245 have been resolved,” the protest letter states. It further contends that the Federal Government’s involvement in ongoing lawsuits and criminal charges related to the purported sale underscores the unresolved nature of the matter.
The letter emphasizes the family’s commitment to pursuing justice through legal channels, invoking constitutional provisions safeguarding judicial independence and the rule of law.
In response to the demand, Minister Lokpobiri has yet to issue a statement retracting his remarks, leaving the possibility of further legal action open.
The unfolding dispute underscores the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the ownership and management of strategic national resources, reflecting broader challenges in Nigeria’s governance and legal frameworks.
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