By; IYOKPO J. EGBODO, Abuja
The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the alleged corruption and breach of due process in the award Oil of Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, may at las invite former President Goodluck Jonathan to provide it with needed information, information has emerged.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Razak Atunwa, in a statement on Wednesday said it was aware of recent information that have come to light, both nationally and internationally, indicating that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan may have been complicit in the controversial OPL 245 deal.
Jonathan denied the bribery allegation against him in the deal. “In the first place, we have to categorically state that the negotiations and transactions for the oil block deal predate the presidency of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan which began on 6th May 2010 and ended on 29th May 2015”, statement by the former President’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze stated.
Atunwa in the statement said, “the Committee is also closely monitoring the proceedings in the Italian Courts instituted by the Public Prosecutor of Milan in which Ministers in Jonathan Administration were mentioned including President Jonathan himself.
“These facts have firmly placed former President Goodluck Jonathan on the Committee’s radar.
“The Committee believes that former President Goodluck Jonathan may well be in a position to assist it with its inquiries. Accordingly, the Committee is considering inviting him to give evidence before it. An announcement will be made once a formal firm decision is taken on the matter”.
