Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has said that he has forgiven all those behind his prosecution over the controversial OPL 245 oil block deal, as he launched a memoir detailing his experience with the case that gripped Nigeria and drew international attention.
The memoir, titled ‘OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block’, was publicly presented on Thursday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. The book offers Adoke’s personal account of the events surrounding the 2011 oil block transaction involving Shell and Eni, which led to years of legal battles and public scrutiny.
Speaking at the launch, Adoke clarified that the book was not written to cast blame or attack individuals but to set the record straight.
“This book is not written to denigrate anyone,” he said. “It is meant to put the records straight and offer my account of what transpired.”
He acknowledged the emotional and reputational toll of the saga, stating, “I have forgiven everyone behind my ordeal. After the verdicts of the various courts, I initially returned to exile. It was Vice President Kashim Shettima who encouraged me to return and bring closure to the matter.”
The event drew notable figures from Nigeria’s political landscape, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who praised Adoke for what he described as a noble act of forgiveness.
“I commend you for forgiving all those that offended you during your ordeal,” VP Shettima said. “I admire Adoke for standing by his convictions.”
Also in attendance was former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who used the occasion to stress the importance of transparency in Nigeria’s oil industry.
“The oil sector is such an important part of our economy. We need to ensure that the process is more transparent and accountable,” Saraki said.
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, added that memoirs such as Adoke’s play a critical role in shaping public discourse.
“Such accounts are necessary to help the public understand the experiences of those who have been accused and tried. They enable those persecuted to put things in perspective,” he remarked.
Echoing this sentiment, Vice President Shettima emphasised the role of storytelling in public service and history.
“Our stories are not ours alone. They belong to the public and to history. Every accused must speak. The pages of this book will inspire debate,” he stated.
The OPL 245 saga remains one of the most controversial oil deals in Nigeria’s history. At the heart of the case was the transfer of a lucrative oil block, OPL 245 from Malabu Oil and Gas to Shell and Eni, a deal allegedly marred by irregularities. Though Adoke has consistently argued that his involvement was guided by legal advice and a desire to resolve a longstanding dispute, the case led to multiple court cases and sparked global investigations.
With the release of his memoir, Adoke sought to contribute to what he described as “a clearer historical record” of events in Nigeria’s extractive sector, one he said was often clouded by politics, sensationalism, and selective memory.
