Mohammed Bello Adoke, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, says Lucio Lucia, a lawyer representing Nigeria in the Malabu/OPL245 case, is making false claims against him.
The former minister had been accused of wrongdoing in the Malabu oil deal, but he has consistently denied the allegations.
In a letter addressed to Abubakar Malami, his predecessor, Adoke said Lucio submitted unfounded allegations before the Milan court in Italy which heard the matter on September 9, 2020.
He said while he is not adverse to the federal government’s claims before the Milan court, he is concerned that Lucia has been allowed to present “deliberate false statements against me in support of the federal government’s case”.
“You will recall that since assumption of office, I have written not less than four letters to you on various issues that agitated my mind. Regrettably, none of the letters received your dignified response despite evidence of delivery and receipt by your office,” he wrote.
“I am again constrained to write you in respect of the conduct of Mr. Lucio Lucia who is representing the interest of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the on-going proceedings before the Milan Court in Italy.
“Mr. Lucio Lucia in his submission before the Court on 09/09/2020, on the position of Federal Republic of Nigeria as injured party entitled to civil compensation, had allegedly ‘reaffirmed the indictment of Mr. Adoke and others in the heist’ connection with the OPL 245 Resolution Agreement.
“He proceeded to make other bizarre and unfounded allegations to the effect that I was extradited from Dubai for the corruption related to OPL 245 knowing fully that nothing of sort ever happened and with characteristic audacity, he carelessly reconstructed the evidence on my Mortgage transaction with Unity Bank Plc which is subject of ongoing criminal proceedings in Nigeria to suit his narrative.
“As a Nigerian, I am not only entitled to the protection of my Government. I therefore feel compelled to request you to call Mr. Lucio Lucia to order in order to preserve the dignity and respect of your high office as well as prevent my rights from being trampled upon by foreign elements acting in cohort with their Nigerian collaborators.”
Adoke said there are judicial pronouncements that he cannot be held personally liable for carrying out the lawful approvals of the president while he served as a minister under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said Malami had also once reviewed the matter and didn’t find him wanting.