The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday quizzed a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), for his alleged role in the $182m Halliburton scandal.
It was gathered that Aondoakaa, who served as AGF under the late President Umaru Yar’adua, stormed the office of the EFCC around 10am and was grilled for about eight hours.
Punch quoted a source at the anti-graft agency as saying that, “Aondoakaa has been in our custody since morning and has been answering questions on his alleged role in the Halliburton scandal. More details will be revealed later.”
Recall that the former guber aspirant in Benue State had been accused of frustrating investigations into the case during his time as the AGF between 2007 and 2010.
The Halliburton case relates to an alleged $182m contract involving a four-company joint venture to build a liquefied natural gas plant on Bonny Island.
Also, in 2009, KBR, a former subsidiary of Halliburton, agreed to pay $402m after admitting that it bribed Nigerian officials, and that Halliburton paid $177m to settle allegations by the US Securities and Exchange Commission without admitting any wrongdoing.
The Office of the AGF under the leadership of Mohammed Adoke (SAN) set up a team of five lawyers which would ensure the swift recovery of the funds.
However, $26m was said to have been as legal fees to the lawyers under controversial circumstances.
The lawyers include a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Joseph Daudu (SAN); Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), Mr. Damian Dodo (SAN) and Mr. Roland Ewubare, who have all been quizzed by the commission.
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