Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), for faulting his recent commentary on the federal government’s handling of the OPL 245 dispute.
On March 5, the presidency announced the conclusion of a settlement agreement involving the federal government, Eni, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAEL).
The AGF described the development as a milestone in repositioning Nigeria’s economic landscape.
However, Abubakar, in a statement on Sunday, dismissed the claimed resolution as “nothing more than political theatrics,” insisting the matter is “far from resolved” and remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
He also alleged that key stakeholders were excluded from the process, warning that “a government that sidelines critical stakeholders, disregards pending judicial processes, and proceeds to celebrate a disputed agreement demonstrates not strength, but recklessness”.
Responding on Wednesday, Fagbemi described Abubakar’s position as misrepresenting what he called a “landmark achievement” in resolving a dispute that has lingered for nearly three decades.
The AGF further claimed that opposition to the deal was “both revealing and deeply concerning,” adding that persistent criticisms “strongly suggest they are driven not by patriotism or objective reasoning, but by undisclosed and self-serving interests”.
‘OUR POSITION GROUNDED IN PUBLIC RECORDS’
In a statement on Thursday by Paul Ibe, his media aide, Abubakar, fired back at the AGF, asserting that no amount of rhetoric can settle the disputed oil contracts.
Abubakar described Fagbemi’s remarks as “misleading and an attempt to divert attention from the substantive legal and factual issues surrounding the so-called ‘resolution’ of the OPL 245 dispute”.
The former vice-president insisted that his stance is “firmly grounded” in publicly available documents, including the pre-action notice issued by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited to relevant authorities, which raises serious legal objections to the purported settlement.
“These documents clearly show that key stakeholders have disputed the legitimacy of the claimed resolution, stating unequivocally that they were neither consulted nor involved in any negotiation process, and that multiple suits on the asset remain pending before competent courts,” the statement reads.
“It is not only disingenuous but deeply troubling for the Attorney-General to dismiss legitimate concerns—rooted in documented legal processes—as ‘self-interest.”
Abubakar added that in any constitutional democracy, raising questions based on verifiable records is not opposition, but a responsibility, which he claimed, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has abandoned.
He noted that the stakes are too high for political spin, noting that “OPL 245 is not a mere talking point, but one of the most consequential oil assets in Nigeria, long entangled in complex litigation and international scrutiny”.
“What Nigerians deserve is transparency, adherence to due process, and respect for ongoing judicial proceedings—not premature declarations of victory or attempts to silence scrutiny with cheap and weak propaganda,” the statement added.
“For the record, I do not have an interest in OPL 245, have never had an interest, and will never have an interest in OPL 245.”
He added that his intervention is “guided solely by the public interest and the need to uphold the rule of law,” noting that “no amount of rhetoric can erase the existence of pending legal disputes or invalidate concerns already raised by affected parties through formal legal channels”.
“If anything, the Attorney-General’s response underscores the very need for greater openness and accountability. Nigeria cannot build credibility—locally or internationally—by ignoring documented facts or dismissing legitimate questions,” the statement reads.
“The rule of law must remain supreme. Meanwhile, the Attorney-General may do well to address the substantive issues raised in our earlier intervention instead of resorting to propaganda.”
