Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, on Thursday said that the Federal Government of Nigeria is not considering any possibility of negotiations with P&ID.
Last week Friday, the English Court delivered an unprecedented judgment allowing Nigeria permission to proceed with its challenge to the $10 billion arbitral award made against it over three years ago over execution of contract to P&ID.
Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Spokesperson to Attorney-General and Minister of Justice said in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday that “there will be no negotiation or talk of settlement with P&ID or any related party by or on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The recent judgment of the English Commercial Court confirmed our view
that P&ID and its cohorts are fraudsters who have exploited our country. They will not benefit from their corrupt behavior,” he said.
The statement said that “this is a classic case with overwhelming fraudulent and corrupt undertones. The Federal Government of Nigeria is not considering any possibility of negotiations with P&ID. It is has not only fallen within the tall order exception referred to by the Hon Attorney General in his interview with Arise TV yesterday, but lacks any legitimate foundation. We will not and cannot negotiate arbitral awards where the basis and foundation rely on fraud, corruption, breach of processes and procedures.
The Government remains wholly committed to fighting this case to overturn the exorbitant award without paying a single naira of public money to these fraudsters.”