News
Apr 13,2023
He alleged that several of the erring companies were indigenous and others International Oil Companies (IOCs) working in connivance with "some of our people".
A former lawmaker, Johnson Agbonayinma, on Wednesday, gave an account of efforts by the Federal Government to litigate cases of crude oil theft, which he says were ultimately frustrated by forces from within.
A former lawmaker, Johnson Agbonayinma, on Wednesday, gave an account of efforts by the Federal Government to litigate cases of crude oil theft, which he says were ultimately frustrated by forces from within.
Agbonayinma made the revelation as the House of Representatives investigates allegations of stolen crude oil worth about $2.4 billion.
The former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria/US Parliamentary Relations, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today, shed light on the records of crude oil sales from 2011 to 2014.
He alleged that several of the erring companies were indigenous and others International Oil Companies (IOCs) working in connivance with “some of our people”.
According to him, the Federal Government took legal action against some of these companies.
The former lawmaker stated that after the lawyers engaged by the Federal Government, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), “connived” with the IOCs and some local counterparts to “derail the wheel of progress”.
He added, “Up till now, have you heard any judgement on all these cases?”
Agbonayinma stated that the Federal Government’s lead counsel, a “well-known lawyer in the United States of America” by the name of Anthony Jerome, was at his wit’s end.
Citing his previous interview with Channels Television six years ago, the former House of Representatives member alluded to the lawyer doing as much as he could under the circumstances.
“That was the person who led the counsel to convene and unearth this rubbish. The man said, ‘I gave you everything in the interview you granted. You showed it all on Channels.’ He said, ‘Honourable E.J., I’m not coming back to Nigeria again.’”
“I asked why. He said, ‘Your people are your own problem. The only way we can have a headway is we have to take this litigation to the United States. Once this is in the United States, we will have a headway.”
What is your take on the 2019 elections, particularly with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar joining the PDP from APC?
Several months ago, President Buhari was not healthy, but thank God he recovered. Though he has not disclosed whether he will contest, if he decides to run, he will defeat Atiku. First of all, Buhari has ended the terrorism of Boko Haram and he is fighting corruption doggedly; people are afraid of stealing now, there is no more impunity. He has been able to revive the economy and brought us out of the recession which the PDP administration plunged us into. In terms of infrastructure, he is working day and night. He means well for Nigerians and we must appreciate him. All he needs now is to rejig his administration and bring in fresh blood that will do the job. If he decides to contest today, I can assure you that Nigerians will queue behind him. But the truth is that if you want to be President of Nigeria, you must travel to the US like former President Obasanjo said. If Atiku is unable to travel to the US, then it is an issue. Nigerians don’t want a President that will not be able to travel to the US because America is the giant of democracy.
