A fresh controversy has emerged over the reported resolution of the OPL 245 oil block case, as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dismissed allegations by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, that critics of the deal are acting out of self-interest.
Atiku faulted remarks attributed to Fagbemi, who had reportedly described opposition to the settlement as lacking patriotism.
The former vice president insisted that concerns raised over the deal are grounded in verifiable records and ongoing legal proceedings, rather than political motives.
He described the Attorney-General’s position as misleading and an attempt to divert attention from what he called substantive legal and factual issues surrounding the “so-called resolution” of the OPL 245 dispute.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our position is firmly grounded in publicly available documents, including but not limited to the pre-action notice issued by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited to the relevant authorities, which raises serious legal objections to the purported settlement.
“These documents clearly indicate that key stakeholders have disputed the legitimacy of the claimed resolution, stating unequivocally that they were neither consulted nor involved in any negotiation process, and that multiple suits on the asset remain pending before competent courts.”
He added,“It is therefore not only disingenuous but deeply troubling for the Attorney-General to dismiss legitimate concerns—rooted in documented legal processes—as ‘self-interest’.
“In any constitutional democracy, raising questions based on verifiable records is not opposition—it is responsibility, which the ruling APC has clearly departed from,” a statement issued by Atiku’s media office read.
Atiku further stressed that OPL 245 remains one of Nigeria’s most valuable oil assets, long entangled in complex litigation and international scrutiny.
He maintained that the issues involved go beyond politics and require transparency, due process, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
“We wish to state for the record that Atiku Abubakar does not have an interest in OPL 245, has never had an interest in the contentious OPL 245, and will never have an interest in OPL 245.
“We reiterate that our intervention is guided solely by the public interest and the need to uphold the rule of law.
”No amount of rhetoric can erase the existence of pending legal disputes or invalidate concerns already raised by affected parties through formal legal channels,” the statement added.
The former vice president also called on the Attorney-General to address the substantive legal issues raised rather than dismissing them, urging greater transparency and accountability in handling the matter.
“If anything, the Attorney-General’s response underscores the very need for greater openness and accountability on this matter.
”Nigeria cannot build credibility locally or internationally by ignoring documented facts or dismissing legitimate questions. The rule of law must remain supreme,” the statement said.
Earlier, Fagbemi had rejected claims that disputes surrounding the OPL 245 oil block remain unresolved, citing a recent Court of Appeal judgment in a case involving Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited and Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd.
According to him, the court dismissed Malabu’s challenge to the allocation of the oil block, ruling it statute-barred and an abuse of court process.
“It must be stated unequivocally that the ongoing opposition to this resolution is both revealing and deeply concerning.
“The persistence of these criticisms, despite clear legal, commercial, and national interest considerations, strongly suggests that they are driven not by patriotism or objective reasoning, but by undisclosed and self-serving interests.
“Those advancing such narratives must be understood for what they represent: an attempt to frustrate a lawful and strategic resolution that stands to unlock immense value for the Nigerian people,” Fagbemi said.
