The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Thursday ruled out the possibility of the Federal Government negotiating with the Irish firm, P&ID.
Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media to the minister, said in a statement that the AGF foreclosed any form of negotiations with the company that took Nigeria to court in the UK over failed contract, which the Federal Government has described as fraudulent.
“There will be no negotiation or talk of settlement with P&ID or any related party by or on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The recent judgment of the English Commercial Court confirmed our view that P&ID and its cohorts are fraudsters who have exploited our country. They will not benefit from their corrupt behaviour,” he said.
“This is a classic case with overwhelming fraudulent and corrupt undertones. The federal government of Nigeria is not considering any possibility of negotiations with P&ID. It is has not only fallen within the tall order exception referred to by the Hon Attorney General in his interview with Arise TV yesterday, but lacks any legitimate foundation. We will not and cannot negotiate arbitral awards where the basis and foundation rely on fraud, corruption, breach of processes and procedures.
“The government remains wholly committed to fighting this case to overturn the exorbitant award without paying a single naira of public money to these fraudsters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malami has called on the newly inaugurated members of the 9th Commission of the Nigerian Law Reform to be guided by the rules and regulations as provided by the Section 2 & 8 (1) of the Act.
Malami made the call on Thursday while inaugurating commissioners of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission chaired by Jummai A.M Audi.
The minister asked them to ensure that all the rules and regulations relating to management of the human, material and financial resources of the Commission are adhered to in accordance to the objectives of the Federal Government, as contained in Section 8(1) (c) of the Act.
He added that: ‘’It is uniformly agreed that law as an instrument of social engineering always served as the instrumentality of meaningful reform in any civilized society.’’
While highlighting some of the functions of the commission, Malami said the commission should generally take and keep under review all Federal Laws with a view to their systematic and progressive development and reform in consonance with the prevailing norms of the Nigerian Society; the commission is mandated under section5(2) (a) and (b) of the Act to receive and consider proposals for reform that may be referred to it by Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; also the commission may also provide expert advice and information to federal government ministries, departments and agencies, the National Assembly or other bodies with regard to proposals for the reform or amendment of laws, and amongst others.
The Attorney-General expressed appreciation towards the efforts and determination of the commission in achieving its mandate through the delivery of quality Law Reform to strengthen governance of the nation and for aligning itself with the Economic Recovery Growth Plan of the federal government of Nigeria, urging them to give selfless service to the nation.
He noted that the Nigerian Law Reform Commission was established in July 1979 by the Nigerian Law Reform Act, Cap. N118, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The newly inaugurated commissioners include Prof. Jummai A. M. Audi – Chairman, Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia – Commissioner, Hon. Muhammad B. O. Ibraheem – Commissioner and Dr. Muhammad M. Aminu.
