Former Attorney General seeks remorse for OPL 245 agreement controversy

Mohammed Adoke, the former Attorney-General of the Federation, is seeking an apology from the Federal Government after the decision was made to implement the long-overdue settlement agreements regarding the contentious OPL 245, nearly 15 years after the disputes were initially settled during President Goodluck Jonathan's tenure.

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Adoke expressed his approval of President Bola Tinubu's administration for ultimately implementing the resolution agreements, praising the move as a demonstration of the President's understanding of the oil asset's economic significance.

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In a statement released on Friday, the former minister lauded Tinubu for resolving the "thorny issue" in the national interest, showcasing his grasp of the economy and the importance of the oil-rich block to achieving national economic objectives.

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According to Adoke, the decision to implement the OPL 245 resolution agreements is a testament to President Tinubu's statesmanship, aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the oil block, and he commended the President for his intervention.

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However, Adoke criticized the administration of Muhammadu Buhari for criminalizing the efforts of officials from the Jonathan administration who worked to resolve the dispute, which originated from the block's revocation by Olusegun Obasanjo in 2002.

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This revocation triggered prolonged legal and diplomatic disputes, and Adoke stated that he was subjected to humiliation and defamation, both locally and internationally, for his role in resolving the dispute during his tenure as Attorney-General.

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The former AGF noted that the Nigerian economy could have benefited significantly if the matter had not been delayed, and he expressed his disappointment at being targeted for his patriotic efforts to get the vital national asset working.

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Adoke believes he deserves an unreserved apology from the Federal Government for the nine years of persecution and humiliation he endured over the matter, and he emphasized that the Nigerian economy would be far better off today if not for the Buhari administration's intervention.

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Despite his ordeal, the former Minister of Justice stated that he has forgiven those who attempted to damage his reputation, taking it as part of the burden of serving his country, and he remains steadfast in his belief in Nigeria.

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Adoke said, "I forgive all those who connived to smear my name across the world," and he views his experience as a necessary part of his service to the nation.