House of Representatives said on Wednesday that it will write to former President Goodluck Jonathan, to tender his explanation over Malabu Oil deal scandal.
Chairman House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged corruption, malpractices and breach of due process in the award of OPL 245, Razak Atunwa, made this known in a press briefing.
”The Committee is of the view that in the interest of thoroughness, natural justice and fair play, it imperative that evidence should be taken from former President Goodluck Jonathan.
”In arriving at this decision, the Committee took account of the following facts: Mr. Jonathan was the President at the material time the Ministers brokered the deal that lead to the allegation of $1 billion diversion of funds,” Atunwa said.
The controversial $1.3 billion deal revolves around ”OPL 245,” which is believed to be the most valuable oil field in West Africa.
The scam is being investigated in Nigeria, Italy and the Netherlands due to the participation of oil giants Shell and ENI.
The scandal was resurrected in 2017 following a BBC report which seems to indict the former president of collecting a $200m bribe from the deal.
The ex-president of Nigeria has, however, denied collecting the $200 million bribe as reported by the foreign media.
Others that have been indicted in the scandal include Former petroleum minister Dan Etete, Ex-Attorney General Mohammed Adoke, former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, and others.
Before now, a group known as the Niger Delta Advancement Front (NAF) said that it would resist any attempt by the lawmakers to compel the former president to appear before it over the controversial Malabu oil deal.
