Jonathan compromised Bayelsa election to avoid Malabu oil scam probe – Sule Lamido

Immediate past governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has alleged that former President Goodluck Jonathan worked against the interest of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just-concluded governorship election in Bayelsa State.

In a short Facebook post sent by his media aide, Mansur Ahmed, the former governor was quoted to have insinuated that Mr Jonathan supported the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC candidate in order halt the ongoing probe into the famous Malabu oil scam.

“And finally compromising Bayelsa State with the Malabo oil 1billion Dollar scam for his freedom!,” Mr Lamido posted.

The Malabu oil scandal involved the transfer of about $1.1 billion by Shell and ENI through the Nigerian government to accounts controlled by a former Nigerian petroleum minister, Dan Etete.

About half the money ($520 million) went to accounts of companies controlled by Aliyu Abubakar, popularly known in Nigeria as the owner of AA oil, suspected to be fronting for top officials of government and Shell and ENI collaborators.

According to a report, the transaction was authorised in 2011 by Mr Jonathan through some of his cabinet ministers and the money was payment for OPL 245, one of Nigeria’s richest oil blocs.

Although Shell and ENI initially claimed they did not know the money would end up with Mr Etete and his cronies, evidence has shown that claim to be false.

Shell, Eni, Mr Etete, Mr Aliyu and several officials of the oil firms are being prosecuted in Italy for their roles in the scandal.

A British judge had also said she was convinced the ‘fortunato’ referenced in various OPL 245 mails referred to Mr Jonathan.

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