OPL 245: No spin can erase ongoing legal disputes, Atiku tells AGF

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has rebuked the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, over his criticism of Atiku’s remarks on the Federal Government’s handling of the controversial OPL 245 oil block dispute.

The Presidency had on March 5 announced the conclusion of a settlement agreement involving the Federal Government, Italian oil giant Eni, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAEL), describing the deal as a major breakthrough in resolving the long-running dispute surrounding the oil asset.

Fagbemi subsequently hailed the agreement as a milestone capable of repositioning Nigeria’s economic landscape after nearly three decades of litigation and international controversy.

However, Atiku dismissed the development as “political theatrics,” insisting that the matter remains unresolved and is still subject to ongoing legal proceedings.

In a statement issued Thursday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, the former vice-president said no amount of rhetoric could erase the existence of pending legal disputes over the oil block.

Atiku criticised the AGF for allegedly attempting to divert attention from what he described as “substantive legal and factual issues” surrounding the claimed resolution of the OPL 245 dispute.

“Our position is firmly grounded in publicly available records,” the statement said, referencing a pre-action notice issued by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited to relevant authorities, which reportedly raises significant legal objections to the purported settlement.

According to him, the documents show that key stakeholders have challenged the legitimacy of the agreement, maintaining that they were neither consulted nor involved in the negotiation process.

He also pointed out that multiple lawsuits relating to the oil asset remain pending before competent courts.

“It is not only disingenuous but deeply troubling for the Attorney-General to dismiss legitimate concerns rooted in documented legal processes as ‘self-interest,’” Atiku said.

The former vice-president stressed that in a constitutional democracy, raising questions based on verifiable public records is a civic duty, not an act of opposition.

He further argued that the stakes involved in the OPL 245 dispute are too significant for what he described as political spin, noting that the oil block remains one of Nigeria’s most valuable but controversial petroleum assets.

“What Nigerians deserve is transparency, adherence to due process, and respect for ongoing judicial proceedings, not premature declarations of victory or attempts to silence scrutiny with weak propaganda,” the statement added.

Atiku also denied having any personal interest in the oil block.

“For the record, I do not have an interest in OPL 245, have never had an interest, and will never have an interest in OPL 245,” he said.

He maintained that his intervention was driven solely by 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,” he added.

Atiku concluded that Nigeria’s credibility, both domestically and internationally, depends on transparency and strict adherence to the rule of law, urging the Attorney-General to address the substantive issues raised rather than dismissing them.