Malabu Oil Block: Interpol Gets Charges Against Adoke

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sent charges against the detained former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), to the International Police (INTERPOL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The transmission of the charges was to prevent Adoke’s release from INTERPOL custody in UAE.
The EFCC claims the former minister has cases to answer in six or seven other jurisdictions on the $1.6billion Malabu Oil Block (OPL 245).
The other jurisdictions are Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, UK and the United States of America (USA).
Also, the EFCC said it had uncovered another $1.3billion tax fraud in the agreement on Malabu Oil Block.
It said some tax exemption clauses in the agreement in favour of Shell and ENI included Petroleum Profit Tax and Value Added Tax (VAT), among others.
It said it was unfortunate that the Federal Government was excluded from Production Sharing Agreement on Malabu Oil Block.
The EFCC listed other allegations against Adoke including alleged conflict of interest on Malabu Oil Block; alleged involvement in the $9.6billion judgment award against Nigeria by Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID); and clarification of $2, 267, 400 Malabu Oil cash paid to a Bureau De Change operator.
But, Adoke’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has written to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) requesting for a letter of attestation to get the ex-minister’s release.
The INTERPOL is demanding a letter of attestation from Malami on the vacation of warrant of arrest against Adoke on October 25, 2019 by a judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Danlami Senchi.