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The Minister of
Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke
(SAN) is in receipt of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the report
released on the administration of the Gulf Oil windfalls by the
military government of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida .

NEXT investigation
revealed on Thursday in Abuja that Mr. Adoke was not only in receipt of
the document, but is also studying the content of the document with a
view to making a more informed reaction on behalf of the Federal
Government as soon as possible from now.

Some human rights
activists and civil society organisations have been pushing for a probe
of the tenure of Mr. Babangida, especially about a $12.4b which was
allegedly misappropriated and embezzled from the total proceeds of
crude oil during the first gulf war.

The minister’s request

Recently, a group
of NGOs told the media they had sent a certified true copy of the
report to the Justice Minister, in response to his request for it and a
promise to take proper and relevant action in the interest of the state
as soon as he received it.

Although the
special assistant to the minister on media and special duties, Onyema
Omenuwa, and his chief press secretary, Ambrose Momoh, would not
disclose any specific action being taken by the FG on the report. But
an official of the ministry said the minister will be making a proper
reaction as soon as he is done with the study of the report.

Although the office
of the minister had, last week, denied receiving the document, a source
said Mr. Adoke was at the time yet to see the document because he was
preparing for a journey to Cape Verde, where he attended an
international conference.

After Mr. Babangida
left office in 1993, government had commissioned a committee led by
Pius Okigbo to unravel the manner in which Nigeria’s earnings from the
sale of crude oil during the Gulf War era was used by the government of
Mr. Babangida, who was the Head of State at the time.

Last month, Mr. Babangida declared his intention to contest the 2011
presidential elections and challenged anybody that has any evidence
linking him to corruption in relation to the Gulf War oil windfall to
do so.