Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have called on state governors to emphasize due diligence and legal consultations before entering into contract agreements. This call follows the recent seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets by a French court due to a contract dispute between the Ogun State Government and the Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd.
Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, emphasized the importance of understanding the legal and ethical complexities of international agreements. He attributed the ongoing legal battles to poorly managed contracts, which have resulted in significant financial losses and damaged Nigeria’s international reputation.
Rafsanjani stated, “State governors and government officials must fully grasp the implications of international agreements before entering into them. Nigeria faces numerous socio-economic challenges, and we cannot afford to be entangled in costly legal disputes that could have been avoided with proper due diligence.”
He criticized the federal government for providing state governors with access to loans without adequately addressing the associated risks. Rafsanjani highlighted past issues, such as the notorious P&ID case, where Nigeria faced a staggering $11 billion fine due to alleged contractual breaches.
CISLAC and Transparency International previously secured temporary relief through a UK court’s decision following global advocacy efforts. They stressed the importance of vigilance and ethical governance to prevent severe repercussions from mismanagement of international contracts.
The organizations also called on President Bola Tinubu and anti-corruption agencies to prosecute individuals involved in colluding with entities like P&ID for personal gain. They emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in managing international agreements and avoiding costly legal disputes.
“As Nigeria navigates this complex legal situation, it is crucial to maintain vigilance and uphold ethical standards in contract negotiations,” Rafsanjani concluded.
