CACOL COMMENDS EFCC ON EX-AGF ADOKE OVER N1.2B MALABU OIL SCAM; SEEKS DILIGENT PROSECUTION

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL has said through its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran that it would not repose until justice prevails over all the corruption cases of the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), in relation to the infamous $1.2bn Malabu oil scam, Halliburton and Siemens scandal bordering on bribery and money laundering money.
Adeniran commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC under the leadership of Mr. Ibrahim Magus for not relenting in the Commission’s efforts at ensuring that justice is not circumvented in the judicial processes involving Mr. Adoke and others. “We are all witnesses to the ‘hide and seek’ and the slipperiness that has been
displayed by the ex-AGF since 1999 when the case of Halliburton and Siemens scandal began.” He said “It is evident that finally the EFCC is now actively and boldly prosecuting the fight against corruption with the vigour and momentum that is required, and the Commission, is to a very large extent doing this without caring whose ox is gored. It is gladdening that the agency is not sparing any corrupt leader whether formerly or presently serving elected or appointed public officials. It is a signal that gradually the era where corrupt leaders will perpetrate corrupt practices with reckless abandon is getting over.”
“As far as CACOL is concerned, what is presently unfolding has been long overdue. We therefore urge the EFCC that, in the fresh judicial processes, diligence and tact would be deployed to finally clear the air on the culpability or otherwise of the ex-AGF and his suspected accomplices’ their corruption cases.”
Adeniran said “Adoke has made his trial a very burdensome one over the years, he devised many means to avert and dodge justice.  The former Minister coordinated bribery scandals where spurious ‘legal fees’ involving up to about $26 million USD were paid to prosecution counsels even though the accused were never prosecuted in any court, the same with the Halliburton and Siemens bribery scandals, the case ended without any punitive for his offence. This must not be allowed to happen this time.”
“As an organization, CACOL have played and will continue to play the role expected of an anti corruption formation That is why we were one of civil society organizations that embarked of exposing the Adoke’s dealings by blowing the whistle on him through protest marches backed with petitions to the EFCC and ICPC submitted on 26th July, 2011 at their Head Offices in Abuja.”
“We remain committed to the cause to ensure that justice prevails in the ex-AGF’s case all other corruption cases to put an end to reign of impunity.
In concluding, he said “Adoke feels he is smart enough to escape prosecution because he has always successfully done so due to lack of
diligence in prosecution and the influence of the ‘powers that be’.”