On Tuesday, a U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. gave judgment affirming a $6.59 billion arbitral award, plus $2.30 billion interest, against Nigeria.

The judgment was given after the country failed to show up in court to defend the matter.

The naira value of the amount came to about N2.7 trillion (at the Central Bank of Nigeria's rate of N306 to one U.S Dollar).

Just as the judgment was handed down, PREMIUM TIMES became aware that the country would have paid less than 10 per cent of the $8.9 billion award if the Muhammadu Buhari administration had acted in line with the recommendation passed to it by the preceding Goodluck Jonathan regime.

But rather than take the recommended action, the Buhari administration scorned at the settlement agreement its predecessor signed with Process & Industrial Development Limited (P&ID), the engineering firm fighting Nigeria for breach of contract.

Official documents reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES show that a government negotiation team constituted by Mr. Jonathan successfully negotiated an out-of-tribunal settlement with P&ID and got the company to accept a $850 million payment, about 9.6 per cent of the $8.9billion award.

However, the present administration ignored that settlement and rather asked its lawyers to return to the tribunal to further contest the engineering firm's claims.

The tribunal then ruled against Nigeria, awarding $6.6 billion in favour of the British Virgin Island's firm.

The refusal of the government to settle the matter for over five years attracted additional $2.3billion in accumulated interest at seven per cent per annum.

The fine followed a dispute over alleged breach of contractual agreement by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Officials familiar with the matter told this newspaper that the Jonathan government hammered out the $850 million agreement with P&ID a few days to the end of its reign.

It then transferred the responsibility of disbursing funds to the aggrieved company to the then in-coming government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

"President Jonathan reasoned that since his administration was already a few days away from its exit on May 30, it was proper not to approve the payment of $850 million to avoid unnecessary suspicion," one official said, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

A SETTLEMENT IGNORED

At a point during the tribunal hearing, counsel to the Nigerian government, Supo Shasore, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), gave a legal opinion that the government's defence for failure to discharge its obligation under the contract was "feeble and unsustainable."

On August 11, 2014, the then Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, advised the government to take steps to settle the matter out of the tribunal "with a view to significantly reduce the claims against it."

At the end of negotiations on November 20 and 21, 2014, a government team recommended the payment of $1.5 billion to P&ID.

But Mr. Jonathan asked the team to press for reduction of the settlement amount. The team achieved a further concession to about $1.1billion to allow for taxes, salaries and other remunerations to P&ID workers if the contract agreement were executed.

On April 29, 2015, P&ID agreed to the government's final proposal to pay $850 million to settle the matter once and for all.

Although the government expressed discomfort over the $850 million settlement, wishing it was about $500 million or less, a payment schedule was agreed.

Initial payment of $100 million was to be made immediately after signing the Deed of Settlement by all parties. Subsequent payments were to be in three tranches of $250 million every four months.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources at the time, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who raised the memo for President Jonathan's approval, said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was to provide the funding for the payment.

However, on May 25, 2015 (four days to the end of his term), Mr Jonathan wrote back to the Minister and the group managing director of the NNPC, saying, "I cannot approve at this time. Please bring up for the in-coming government to consider."

The directive was contained in memo No. PRES/88-3/MPR/813/158/NNPC/7 from the then president to Mrs Alison-Madueke.

The memo was a response to another, dated May 18, 2015, in which the minister sought the president's approval to ensure immediate settlement of the matter.

Although Mr Jonathan, based on the recommendation of the minister, gave approval for immediate settlement of the matter, he however transferred the disbursement of the money to the then in-coming Buhari administration.

However, on assumption of office five days later on May 30, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that when the matter was brought before President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, they opted for a renegotiation of the entire deal.

Mr Shasore, who was the government's defence counsel, was debriefed. He was replaced by Bolaji Ayorinde, also a SAN, to continue the matter at the London tribunal.

On December 23, 2015, the new government asked for the award to be set aside completely.

But on February 10, 2016, the tribunal dismissed the application following hearing on July 22 to 24, 2016 to determine the damages.

The tribunal ruled that the damage suffered by P&ID was the loss of net income it would have received if the Nigerian government had kept its side of the contract.

HOW THE BATTLE STARTED

On January 11, 2010, P&ID signed a gas supply and processing agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources on behalf of the Nigerian government.

Under the terms of agreement, P&ID was to build and operate an Accelerated Gas Development project to be located at Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The federal government was to source for natural gas from oil mining leases (OMLs) 123 and 67 operated by Addax Petroleum and supply to P&ID for 20 years to refine into fuel suitable for power generation in the country.

The lean gas to be produced from the wet gas was to belong to the government, while ownership of the residual hydrocarbons would be vested in P&ID as consideration for processing the wet gas to lean gas.

Initial volume was about 150 million cubic feet of gas per day, and eventually to ramp up to about 400 million cubic feet per day during the 20-year period.

However, P&ID alleged that after signing the agreement, the federal government reneged on its obligation after it opened negotiation with the Cross River State government for allocation of land for the project.

P&ID said the failure to construct the pipeline system to supply the gas frustrated the construction of the gas project, thereby depriving it the potential benefits expected from 20 years' worth of gas supplies.

The company said several attempts to settle out of court with the federal government failed.

In August 2012, P&ID served the Nigerian government a Request for Arbitration.

The federal government argued before the tribunal that the failure of P&ID to acquire the site and build the gas processing facilities was a fundamental breach, as no gas could be delivered until this was done.

But the tribunal ruled that the Nigerian government's obligations under Article 6B of the agreement were not conditional upon P&ID constructing the gas processing facilities.

The tribunal upheld P&ID's application requesting damages for alleged breach of contract by government.

Two members of the three-man tribunal, Lord Hoffmann and Anthony Evans, held that P&ID's expenditure and income should have been about $6.597 billion if the GSPA was duly performed by government.

Both officials said the award should be paid together with interest at the rate of 7 per cent from March 20, 2013.

The other member, who is Nigeria's former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Bayo Ojo, in his minority ruling said although P&ID was entitled to compensation for the breach, its damages could not have been more than three years from the date of the alleged breach.

Mr Ojo said P&ID should not be paid more than $250 million as damages.

The tribunal said damages were calculated as the present value of 20-year income, minus certain capital and operating costs incurred from building and running the refining facility.

And considering that the award was unpaid since 2013, accumulated uncollected interest at 7 per cent per annum would be about $2.3 billion as of March 2018.

Although the federal government challenged the award, P&ID said Nigeria was bound by a treaty to pay up, having waived its right to immunity as a sovereign nation when it signed the agreement.

On March 16, 2018, P&ID in its application seeking enforcement of the award said "The final award is governed by such a treaty -- the New York Convention. So, Nigeria's status as a foreign sovereign does not deprive the court of jurisdiction to confirm the award," the company said.

When contacted for comment on the story, presidential spokesperson, Laolu Akande, said his boss would rather prefer the Attorney-General to talk about the matter.

Asked to confirm if the VP actually directed that the agreement for the payment of $850 million be set aside in 2016, Mr Akande said he should be given some time to get more details. He was yet to get back at the time of publishing this story.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said the government was doing something about the case. He did not provide further details.

The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, did not answer calls to his telephone when PREMIUM TIMES called to seek his comment for this report. He also did not respond to text and WhatsApp messages sent to him.



Read the original article on Premium Times.


Source; https://allafrica.com/stories/201806090085.html

Lalasticlala, this is how it started.

izzou:

Oga pilot.

How is your day going?

Stay safe brother

The blame game will start now. Nobody will be held accountable. At the end of the day, the will go and suck crude to sell. A $9billion investment in power would have put us on the right pedestal.
I doubt if we are actually human beings.

Just as Buhari voted against Nigeria's interest in preference to a Nigerien for the post of OAU sec.in 1984 the vindictive nature of this dullard will never leave.IBB and co were right on 26th.Aug.1985.

How could they accept. They too will need their lawyer and agents to chop. Yes Nigeria lost so much but their lawyer and agents have smiled to their banks. If Jona and co can chop tno be only them get mouth to chop. It is selfish interest and mistrust that is affecting this country.

It’s a shame Jonathanians are trying desperately to change the narrative. A very big shame!

Na wa

What kind of stupid firm expects Nigeria to pay it $9bn or even $6bn for no job done?

Buhari house boy Oya come

Somehow I knew at least one idiot will spin this story

This issue of contract started in 2010, Jonathan sold crude highest during his 5 years as the president, he didn't pay, somehow in 2019, buhari has to take the fall for it


Considering all we've seen from Jonathan's cronies, that payment has probably been withdrawn from central bank and was shared by denziani to PDP chief looters

seunmsg:
It’s a shame Jonathanians are trying desperately to change the narrative. A very big shame!

Many would not read the article beyond the topic, everything written was indicting GEJ but to their hateful minds the topic has said it all.

GMBuhari:
Somehow I knew at least one idiot will spin this story

This issue of contract started in 2010, Jonathan sold crude highest during his 5 years as the president, he didn't pay, somehow in 2019, buhari has to take the fall for it


Considering all we've seen from Jonathan's cronies, that payment has probably been withdrawn from central bank and was shared by denziani to PDP chief looters

The issue started in January, 2010 but Jonathan came on board in May, 2010. It is good you state things they way they are instead of trying to bend the narrative. It doesn't exonerate Jonathan's government. Buhari's and Yaradua's governments are culpable as well.
It would have been in the interest of Nigeria not to suffer any loss. Now that this has happened, don't you think reducing the loss would have been far viable than passing blames around? This is where I totally disagree with you.
And if there should be any punitive measure, the Buhari's government should receive the biggest.

Great2017:

The issue started in January, 2010 but Jonathan came on board in May, 2010. It is good you state things they way they are instead of trying to bend the narrative. It doesn't exonerate Jonathan's government. Buhari's and Yaradua's governments are culpable as well.
It would have been in the interest of Nigeria not to suffer any loss. Now that this has happened, don't you think reducing the loss would have been far viable than passing blames around? This is where I totally disagree with you.
And if there should be any punitive measure, the Buhari's government should receive the biggest.

The company served Nigeria a request for arbitration after several attempts for an out of court settlement with Nigeria failed in August 2012, why didn't GEJ settle the case before leaving office and Nigeria had been slammed with fines already.
Why waiting for the next government to come clean up his mess when the company was literally begging for an out of court settlement before August 2012?

Area4Area:
Many would not read the article beyond the topic, everything written was indicting GEJ but to their hateful minds the topic has said it all.

Nothing written in the report indicted Jonathan. I challenge you to state any. However, there are a number of paragraphs in the report that faulted Buhari's action. Shall we then continue with a biased assessment? Just a very short report, for no known logical reason, you have turned it upside down.

Area4Area:
The company served Nigeria a request for arbitration after several attempts for an out of court settlement with Nigeria failed in August 2012, why didn't GEJ settle the case before leaving office and Nigeria had been slammed with fines already.
Why waiting for the next government to come clean up his mess when the company was literally begging for an out of court settlement before August 2012?

You have agreed with me that Yaradua's, Jonathan's and Buhari's governments were all culpable. The only thing that would exonerate Buhari's government is if it can reduce or maintain the fine at the level it met it.
However, I find your argument to be shallow. In one hand, you supported Buhari's inaction In another, you have blamed Jonathan's negligence. Your line of argument would have also advised Jonathan not have even acted since it was Yaradua that initiated the project. My friend, Nigeria is bigger than pettiness.

It should be more than that nao

Great2017:

The issue started in January, 2010 but Jonathan came on board in May, 2010. It is good you state things they way they are instead of trying to bend the narrative. It doesn't exonerate Jonathan's government. Buhari's and Yaradua's governments are culpable as well.
It would have been in the interest of Nigeria not to suffer any loss. Now that this has happened, don't you think reducing the loss would have been far viable than passing blames around? This is where I totally disagree with you.
And if there should be any punitive measure, the Buhari's government should receive the biggest.

Buhari should release payment he knows nothing about the contract even though he inherited recession


Awesome

GMBuhari:


Buhari should release payment he knows nothing about the contract even though he inherited recession


Awesome

Can't Buhari be proactive enough to know what to do so as not to add any additional burden as far as this matter is concerned?

The deal was entered into by Yaradua's government. Jonathan's government had her share of negligence. All these were well known by the Buhari government.Should we now cheer them for making a bad situation worse? We need solution and not excuses and blames.

If Buhari can accept Paris refunded funds and Abacha's refunded loots, he should ,as a matter of fact, accept all responsibilities that come with his office including this very issue.

Great2017:


Can't Buhari be proactive enough to know what to do so as not to add any additional burden as far as this matter is concerned?

The deal was entered into by Yaradua's government. Jonathan's government had her share of negligence. All these were well known by the Buhari government.Should we now cheer them for making a bad situation worse? We need solution and not excuses and blames.

If Buhari can accept Paris refunded funds and Abacha's refunded loots, he should ,as a matter of fact, accept all responsibilities that come with his office including this very issue.

How much is Abachas loots and how much is the sanction

seunmsg:
It’s a shame Jonathanians are trying desperately to change the narrative. A very big shame!

Premium Times is reporting, Bros.

Where did you see "Jonathanians" amongst the reporters.

By the way, the report is supported by clear data and assertions with dates. Counter it with your own data.
Shikena!

Meanwhile, am ashamed of Nigeria. The 3 Govts inbolved in this case. We better start begging P&ID to have mercy on us and accept the initial $800m. We can use the fact that we are now the World's Poverty capital to plead our case. They should just have mercy on us.

SMDH

GMBuhari:


How much is Abachas loots and how much is the sanction

Enough of this pettiness that leads nowhere. The bottom line is for this present Government to accept every responsibility and then take actions that will serve our interest better.

Allowing $850M to snowball into $9B can never be in the interest of Nigeria. What is expected is for steps to be taken in reducing it or leaving it at the level it was met.

I knew GEJ will be vindicated... He is not that callous not to keep to his deal..

Someone met a case with a fine of $6b as a President. He didn't start the issue, the immediate past government did. He managed to reduce the fine to $850m. He left, another government came in, met the fine standing at $850 as left by the government he succeeded. He took it through his actions and inactions to $9b. Yet supposedly educated people are praising it. What type of humans are dwelling with?

isn’t your tribe more vindictive when asked to vote Oshoala goal as the best goal of the tournament with many of them giving one foolish excuse to another as to my another goal is beta than that of their country men out of nothing but chronic hate n irredeemable bigotry they were fed with from birth ?!

Now tell my Buhari can’t have that luxury same luxury your tribesmen enjoyed abi na only una head dem de take crack coconut ?!

Racoon:
Just as Buhari voted against Nigeria's interest in preference to a Nigerien for the post of OAU sec.in 1984 the vindictive nature of this dullard will never leave.IBB and co were right on 26th.Aug.1985.

Pavarottii:
I knew GEJ will be vindicated... He is not that callous not to keep to his deal..

GEJ is not completely vindicated here.

All the 3 Govts are culpable. And the whole thing is such a shame. Shame of a nation