Goodluck faces probe over oil deal

ABUJA. – The Nigerian parliament on Wednesday said it would probe the involvement of former president Goodluck Jonathan in a scandalous oil deal.

In a statement, the House of Representatives’ leadership said it was expecting Jonathan to testify in the on-going investigation of the Malabu oil deal.

The controversial $1,3-billion deal revolves around “OPL 245,” one of Nigeria’s richest oil fields. It is also believed to be the most valuable oil field in West Africa.

The oil block, estimated to have about 9 billion barrels of crude oil, was sold to Shell and ENI for 1,3 billion dollars in 2011, when Jonathan was the Nigerian president. However, it was alleged that the money was then shared to various public officials in Nigeria as bribes, while the government got only $210 million as the signature bonus on OPL 245.

Jonathan and other Nigerian officials, including a former attorney general of the country Mohammed Bello Adoke and a former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, were accused of receiving bribes in the deal.

The former president had since denied his involvement, saying it was a hatchet work by people threatened by his “rising international profile.”

The scam is being investigated in Nigeria, Italy, and the Netherlands due to the alleged participation of oil multinationals Shell and ENI. The Nigerian parliament disclosed its extensive investigation into the OPL 245 saga was drawing to a close, saying it will write to Jonathan asking for his response and submission.

“In the interest of thoroughness, natural justice, and fair play, it is imperative that evidence should be taken from the former president,” the parliament’s leadership said.

Former attorney general Adoke has recently instituted proceedings in court wherein he pleaded that all his actions were as instructed by Jonathan. – Xinhua.