A renewed war of words has erupted over the controversial OPL 245 oil block, as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dismissed claims by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, that opposition to the reported settlement is driven by personal interests.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his media office on Thursday, described the AGF’s remarks as misleading and an attempt to sidestep critical legal and factual issues surrounding what he termed the “so-called resolution” of the long-running dispute.
The former vice president insisted that his position is based strictly on verifiable records and ongoing legal processes, not political considerations or vested interests.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our position is firmly grounded in publicly available documents, including the pre-action notice issued by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, which raises serious legal objections to the purported settlement,” the statement read.
He argued that key stakeholders had challenged the legitimacy of the claimed resolution, noting that they were neither consulted nor involved in any negotiation process, while several suits concerning the oil block remain pending before competent courts.
Atiku further described it as “disingenuous and troubling” for the AGF to dismiss concerns rooted in documented legal processes as self-serving, stressing that raising questions in a constitutional democracy is a matter of responsibility, not opposition.
Reaffirming his stance, Atiku categorically denied having any personal stake in the oil block.
“We wish to state for the record that Atiku Abubakar does not have, has never had, and will never have any interest in OPL 245. Our intervention is guided solely by public interest and the need to uphold the rule of law,” the statement added.
He maintained that the issues surrounding OPL 245—one of Nigeria’s most valuable oil assets—transcend politics and require transparency, due process, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
Calling for greater accountability, Atiku urged the Attorney-General to address the substantive legal questions raised rather than dismissing critics.
“Nigeria cannot build credibility—locally or internationally—by ignoring documented facts or trivialising legitimate concerns. The rule of law must remain supreme,” the statement said.
However, Fagbemi had earlier dismissed Atiku’s claims, insisting that disputes over the oil block had been legally resolved. He referenced a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited v. Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd (2025), which struck out Malabu’s challenge as statute-barred and an abuse of court process.
The AGF argued that continued opposition to the resolution is “deeply concerning,” suggesting that such criticisms are driven by undisclosed and self-serving interests rather than patriotism or objective reasoning.
He maintained that the resolution represents a lawful and strategic move capable of unlocking significant economic value for Nigeria, warning that attempts to discredit it could undermine national interest.
