Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that Mohammed Bello Adoke, a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) under his administration, was unjustly hunted across the globe over the controversial OPL 245 oil deal.
Jonathan made this statement on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of Adoke’s memoir, “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block.”
He was represented at the event by former Senate President, Pius Anyim.
Jonathan noted that following the end of his administration in 2015, the succeeding government allegedly launched a manhunt against key officials who served with him, with Adoke being one of the major targets.
“The author of this memoir, Mr. Bello Adoke, was the Attorney-General of the Federation at that time. He was hunted across the globe,” Jonathan said. “But today, he’s alive, healthy, and here to tell his story. I join in celebrating this victory.”
The former president praised Adoke’s courage in documenting his side of the story, adding that the book represents a triumph of truth over persecution.
Jonathan stressed that anyone privileged to hold public office must uphold truth, justice, and fairness, noting that any society that fails to promote these values cannot enjoy peace or progress.
The OPL 245 deal, originally awarded to Malabu Oil and Gas in 1998, became the subject of international legal battles after the company sold its stake to oil giants Shell and Eni for $1.1 billion in 2011, during Adoke’s tenure. A $210 million signature bonus was also paid to the Nigerian government.
The Buhari administration filed criminal charges against Adoke over the transaction, while Italian prosecutors also went after Shell, Eni, and other individuals involved.
The Nigerian government further pursued a $1.7 billion compensation suit against JP Morgan in the UK.
However, courts in Nigeria, Italy, and the UK later acquitted all parties, citing lack of evidence of corruption or fraud. Investigations by US and Dutch authorities were similarly dropped.
Adoke, now cleared by two Nigerian courts, used his memoir to express forgiveness to those behind his ordeal, while also alleging political witch-hunt by the Buhari government and interference by foreign NGOs.
The book presentation was attended by dignitaries and legal professionals who hailed the publication as a bold contribution to Nigeria’s legal and political history.
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