…As Nigerian takes over India’s GINL
Pricewaterhouse Coppers, PwC Nigeria and former Anthony General of the Federation, AGF, Mohammed Bello Adoke have alledgelly been fingered in a shady deal associating with the August 1, 2016 modify reconcession aggrement of Ajaokuta Steel Company of Nigeria, ASCN.
Recalled that in August 1, 2016, the Federal Government signed a modify reconcession aggrement with an Indian firm, Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, GINL which led to Nigeria reclaimed of ASCN and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, NIOMCO, Itakpe given to GINL.
However, the August 1, signing ceremony appeared to be flash in the palm as Nigerians were made to believe what happened then was nothing but the truth.
Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti alleged in a opened letter titled “Corrupt Practices Surrounding Ajaokuta and Itakpe” to Nigerians dated December 31, 2016 that Nigeria had a good chance to reclaim both ASCN and NIOMCO, Itakpe base on unequivocal evidence but for the workings of on ‘Alhaji’, PwC and Adoke made it impossible.
But she explained that the Minister of Steel and Solid Mineral, Dr. Kayode Fayemi lied to Preident Buhari and Nigerians that the country had no evidence against GINL in the London Court of Arbitration.
She stated that Fayemi told Nigerians that “Nigeria already agreed that we were liable to pay somewhere in the region of about $500 to $700m to GINL as estimated by BPE etc…”, and since Nigeria couldn’t afford that, it was agreed to give Itakpe back to the GINL in compensation for 7 years.
In her words: “Like Halliburton and Malabu oil scandals, Ajaokuta and Itakpe suffered greatly in the hands of Adoke who happens to be a son of Itakpe’s soil.
“One would have expected utmost care in executing his duties as the then Attorney General of Nigeria and lead representative of Nigeria at the Arbitration proceedings instituted in the London Court of International Arbitration by the GINL against Nigeria on the termination of Ajaokuta and Itakpe concessions by late Yar’Adua. Alas, he betrayed Nigeria. How?
“Nigeria had a very good chance of winning the arbitration case against the Indians as there was tons of evidence mainly from Inuwa Magaji’s report amongst others.
“GINL feared the anticipated lose and engaged Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) to help them “work” victory out through Nigeria’s corridors of power. PWC approached Alhaji who was a close ally to Vice President Namadi Sambo. Alhaji “discussed” with Adoke, spent a lot of money and a deal was struck.
“Adoke sought an approval from President Jonathan for an out of court settlement. This ended the arbitration in London court and started the mediation process supervised by Mr. Philip Howell Richardson. The first mediation meeting was in London on the 15th February 2013.
“A presidential committee was set up comprising of the V.P’s office, BPE, AGF, amongst other headed by the then Permanent Secretary Min. of Mines and Steel Mrs. E.B.P. Emurem.”
She explained that the presidential ‘Kangaroo’ committee indicted Late President Yar’Adua guilty of terminating the Ajaokuta and Itakpe concessions with GINLa and estimated damages totally $525 million payable to GINL.
She added that the committee then arrived compensating GINL with 7 years of Itakpe Iron Ore since Nigeria had no such money to pay noting that Adoke got a presidential approval to execute this “modified fraudulent re-concession agreement” on the 7th of January 2015 but failed in executing it because the then Minister of Mines and Steel Arch. Sada refused to be a part of the fraud.
Unfortunately, Fayemi executed the same contract Adoke drafted even replicated the exact same grammatical errors Adoke’s contract contained.
“At the August 1st signing ceremony, Fayemi said there would be a joint forensic audit of the concessions and this is to be supervised by one of the top global four consultants which was PwC.
“Yes. Fayemi engaged PwC to supervise GINL’s concession, the same consultants that GINL engaged in 2012 to help pull strong strings to save GINL from losing totally.
GINL Belongs to ‘Alhaji’
Meanwhile, Natasha claimed that the owner of GINL, not the famous Pramod Mittal Mistake but one ‘Alhaji’ contacted her for a peace talk.
“He is an Alhaji quite prominent in the circles of power especially during Jonathan’s administration. This wasn’t his first time contacting me. He first called me up on the 12th of August after my Channel’s interview, then on 16th and 18th August 2016. I met with him on these 3 August dates but didn’t oblige his 26th December’s call. From my interactions with him I deduced the following facts:
“The pseudo partnerships of GINL- – GINL is no longer owned by Pramod Mittal. Pramod Mittal’s presence at the 1st August 2016 NIOMCO Itakpe’s re-concession was just part of the keeping – up – appearances-to –deceive Nigerians agreement between Pramod and Alhaji who is the present owner of GINL. This Alhaji has no expertise in operating mines. He is also not evidentially linked to GINL as most documents still bear Pramod Mittal to deceive Nigerians.
“Now that GINL has gotten NIOMCO Itakpe back, they want to acquire Ajaokuta steel complex too. Alhaji asked that I connect them with TyazhPromExport (TPE for short and original builders of Soviet Russia) as technical partners to facilitate their acquisition of Ajaokuta under a NEW NAME that would not connect the Nigerian public to GINL.
“Alhaji said he opted for Russia despite him being extremely connected to China (he chaired China’s largest construction firm in Nigeria) because he believe only the original builders will do sincere justice to Ajaokuta steel mill but if I refused to bring them on his board, he would go ahead to acquire Ajaokuta using his Chinese partners. I turned that down because I didn’t want to be a party to deceptive “underground” arrangements and manipulations,” she said.
