- CISLAC and Transparency International Nigeria urge state governors to seek legal advice before contract negotiations, following the seizure of presidential jets
- Auwal Musa Rafsanjani warns that poor contract management leads to financial losses and damages Nigeria’s international reputation, stressing the need for diligence
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have called on state governors to exercise due diligence and seek legal consultations before contract negotiations. This comes in response to a French court’s recent seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets, following a contract dispute between the Ogun State government and the Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, expressed concern over the escalating legal battle, which originates from a 2007 agreement to develop the Ogun Free Trade Zone. He highlighted the significant financial losses and the damage to Nigeria’s international reputation resulting from the poorly managed contract.
Rafsanjani urged state governors and government officials to fully understand international agreements’ legal and ethical complexities before committing to them. He emphasized that Nigeria is already facing numerous socio-economic challenges, and costly legal disputes, which could have been avoided with proper due diligence, are an unnecessary burden.
He also criticized the federal government for allowing state governors to access loans without adequately addressing the potential risks, noting that personal interests often lead public officials into problematic agreements. Rafsanjani parallels the controversial P&ID case, stressing the importance of vigilance and ethical governance in handling international contracts.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria’s call reminds us of the need for careful consideration and ethical conduct in contract negotiations to prevent severe repercussions from mismanagement. Rafsanjani also praised global advocacy efforts that secured temporary relief for Nigeria through a UK court’s decision and reiterated calls for President Bola Tinubu and anti-corruption agencies to prosecute those involved in corrupt practices, including those linked to the P&ID case.
As Nigeria navigates this complex legal situation, Rafsanjani emphasized the importance of vigilance and ethical governance in contract negotiations to safeguard the nation from further legal and financial challenges.