Goodluck Jonathan Says Adoke Faced Global Manhunt Over OPL 245 Oil Deal

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that Mohammed Bello Adoke, who served as Attorney-General during his administration, was the subject of an international manhunt over the controversial OPL 245 oil block deal.

The revelation came on Thursday in Abuja during the public unveiling of Adoke’s new memoir, OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block. Jonathan’s remarks were delivered by former Senate President Pius Anyim at the event.

Adoke, who served as Nigeria’s top law officer from 2010 to 2015, has been a central figure in the long-running scandal surrounding the OPL 245 oil licence, a deal initially struck in the late 1990s but brought back into focus under the Jonathan administration. After Jonathan left office in 2015, multiple investigations and legal actions were launched against some of his former cabinet members, with Adoke often cited among those facing the harshest scrutiny.

Jonathan described Adoke’s experience after leaving office as a period of intense persecution, saying he was pursued globally over the oil deal. Despite the pressure, Adoke returned to Nigeria and has continued to maintain his innocence in the case.

The former president praised Adoke for having the courage to write a book detailing the events and circumstances surrounding the deal and his role in it. According to Jonathan, the memoir is not just a personal account but also a tool to help the nation reflect on issues of justice and governance.

Jonathan used the platform to speak more broadly about the responsibilities of public officeholders. He advised those in power to remain committed to justice, fairness, and truth, regardless of the pressures they may face. He described power as a privilege that comes from God and reminded leaders that what they do with that power matters long after they leave office.

He also reflected on the broader impact of political prosecutions, warning that no society can prosper in the absence of justice. He said telling stories like Adoke’s helps strengthen democracy by preserving the truth and giving context to past events.

The event served both as a book launch and, in the words of Jonathan, a symbolic moment of survival for Adoke, who has long claimed that his legal battles were politically motivated. Jonathan noted that while many viewed the event as a simple book presentation, it also marked a turning point in the battle for truth and accountability.