Bilkisu Adejoh
In light of the recent seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets by a French court, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have called on state governors to exercise greater caution and thoroughness in contract negotiations.
This warning follows a protracted legal battle involving the Ogun State Government and the Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, related to a 2007 agreement for the development of the Ogun Free Trade Zone.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, expressed serious concern over the implications of the poorly managed contract, which has led to significant financial repercussions and damaged Nigeria’s international reputation.
In a statement, Rafsanjani urged state officials to ensure they fully understand the legal and ethical dimensions of international agreements before committing to them.
“Given the many socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria, the country cannot afford to be ensnared in expensive and avoidable legal disputes,” Rafsanjani stated.
He further criticized the federal government for allowing state governors to obtain loans without proper risk assessment, warning that personal interests often drive officials into problematic contracts.
Drawing parallels to the notorious P&ID case, Rafsanjani highlighted that Nigeria’s failure to perform due diligence in international agreements has led to severe financial penalties. The P&ID case alone resulted in a $6.6 billion fine, which later ballooned to $11 billion due to interest accruals.
CISLAC and Transparency International have consistently advocated for global transparency and accountability, particularly in the wake of the P&ID arbitration ruling in 2017.
Rafsanjani noted that the organizations worked alongside local and international partners to demand a full investigation into those who undermined Nigeria’s interests in that case, expressing disappointment at the previous administration’s inaction.
CISLAC Boss commended ongoing global advocacy efforts, which have temporarily relieved Nigeria through a favorable UK court ruling. Nonetheless, CISLAC has renewed its call for President Bola Tinubu and anti-corruption agencies to take decisive action against those involved in the P&ID scandal, including former senior officials.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria’s message serves as a critical reminder of the importance of due diligence and ethical governance in managing international contracts.
As Nigeria navigates this complex legal terrain, the organization insists that vigilance and thorough legal consultation are crucial to avoiding further costly disputes.
Africa Security Investigation News 