Mohammed Adoke, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF),
has written a letter to Abubakar Malami, minister of justice, maintaining his
innocence in the controversial Malabu oil deal.
The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) has alleged that Adoke exchanged more than $2.2 million in a
bureau de change in Abuja as part of his own share, an allegation he denied.
Adoke wondered why the anti-graft agency singled him out for prosecution
when he did
not commit any illegality.
He said at least three presidents were involved in the deal, and
that apart from Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and
Goodluck Jonathan have not denied scrutinising the terms of settlement in the
deal.
Adoke said he was being vilified for choosing to serve his
fatherland.
“I anxiously want to know where I went wrong that I have been
singled out by the EFCC for prosecution,” he wrote.
“I also want to know the effect of section 5 of the constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended with respect to the vesting
of all the executive powers of the federation in the president to exercise by
himself and or through his ministers and appointees.
“What is the effect of section 5 of the constitution on persons
who act pursuant to lawful Presidential approvals? This is more so as two out
of the three presidents that had the opportunity to scrutinise this settlement
(Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan) are alive. Have they disowned the settlement?
Has our predecessor in office, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN distanced himself from the
settlement he brokered?
“Have the honourable ministers of petroleum resources and finance
at the time of implementation of the settlement (Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke,
CON and Dr. Olusegun Aganga, respectively) disowned the settlement or their
signatures? It is my respectful view that Nigerians deserve answers to these
questions as it will help them and my humble self to understand the actions and
the machinations of the EFCC masquerading to be acting in the national interest
while surreptitiously deploying state resources and machinery to promote the
personal agenda of their cohorts.”
Adoke appealed to Malami to ensure that state institutions are not
hijacked and used as a tool for vendetta.
He also said he was ready to face justice if anything
incriminating is found on him.
“I wish to use this medium to appeal to the honourable
attorney-general of the federation to be mindful of his overarching powers over
public prosecution and the need to ensure that state institutions do not become
persecutors or instruments in the hands of those pursing personal vendetta,” he
said.
“The constitution and the traditions of our noble profession
demand your oversight over public prosecution.
“Consequently, if you find that I had breached my oath of office
or abused my office, please do not hesitate to bring me to justice.
“However, if it is the contrary, as I strongly believe, that
certain individuals who had vowed to even scores with me are now being aided by
state institutions such as the EFCC; I deserve protection from these
unwarranted attacks and dehumanising treatment that I am being subjected to
merely because I chose to serve my fatherland.”
thecable
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