*Was Nigeria’s Interest Sold Because Of One Man’s Issues, Or Protected?
By Tony Ezimakor, Abuja
A group of legal practitioners operating under the aegis of Civil Liberties Development Foundation (LACIVLER ) has filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Office of Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) as Nigerians beam searchlight on the $700 billion critical minerals agreement entered into with US by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) hurriedly signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last week by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was overshadowed by allegations that the deal was part of a trade-off by President Tinubu to stop President Donald Trump from releasing details of his records with FBI and DEA, a matter that is currently before the District of Columbia Court in the US.
The request, filed by Opatola Victor, a lawyer, and national coordinator of the Foundation, sought, among other things:
*All legal opinions or advice obtained by the Federal Government concerning the Agreement, including its legal character, binding effect, constitutional authority, and
*Whether any approval, ratification or legislative action is required; as well as
Records of approvals and authorisations for the Agreement as well as
*Records of approvals and authorisations for the Agreement, including Presidential, Federal Executive Council, ministerial or inter-agency approvals.
The foundation also requested copies of the complete executed Agreement, including all schedules, annexures, protocols, side letters, appendices and related instruments; all material documents leading to its execution, including negotiation records, memoranda, briefing papers and correspondence between Nigerian authorities and the Government of the United States.
The group, which prides itself as a “public interest organization committed to transparency, constitutional governance, and informed civic engagement,” also sought records of approvals and authorisations for the Agreement, including Presidential, Federal Executive Council, ministerial or inter-agency approvals.
Other documents requested include: documents identifying the minerals, projects, deposits, investors or companies contemplated under the Agreement and any financial, investment, offtake or supply commitments arising from it.
It also sought: “Documents concerning geological and mineral data, including arrangements for its access, use, ownership and transfer.
“The Government’s implementation plan or roadmap, including any committee, task force or agency responsible for implementation.
“Documents supporting or explaining the publicly cited estimated $700 billion value of Nigeria’s mineral resources, including the methodology and minerals covered by that estimate.
“We also request disclosure of any provisions conceming processing and local value addition, export or preferential offtake arrangements, fiscal incentives, environmental and community safeguards, dispute resolution, applicable
law and termination.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: L-R: Tinubu & Trump.
