Abuja, October 25, 2023 — The House of Representatives has taken a decisive step to investigate legal and other service providers involved in the case between Nigeria and foreign firm, Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID).
P&ID, following a failed gas project, had initiated arbitration against Nigeria and was awarded an $11 billion settlement against the country. The Federal Government had promptly appealed, claiming that the gas processing contract had been secured through fraudulent means.
In a significant development, the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, in a verdict issued on Monday, set aside the $11 billion award against Nigeria.
During a plenary session on Wednesday, Kama Nkemkanma, the lawmaker representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, presented a motion titled “Reversal of the $11 billion arbitration award paid against Nigeria: Call for investigation of all legal and other services providers involved in the P&ID deal.”
Nkemkanma pointed out that the UK court’s decision upheld the assertion that the gas project award had been tainted by fraudulent activities.
Nkemkanma noted, “Nigeria has been engaged in a protracted legal battle with P&ID, which accused the Nigerian government of failing to fulfill its gas supply obligations. This dispute resulted in a $6.6 billion judgment against Nigeria in 2017 when the arbitration tribunal ordered the country to make payments, including interest starting from March 2013.”
He further highlighted, “We are also aware that in 2018, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission initiated an investigation into P&ID and uncovered evidence of two bank transfers totaling $20,000 from Dublin-based Industrial Consultants (International) Ltd., a part of the P&ID group, to Grace Taiga, a Nigerian government lawyer responsible for overseeing the gas plant contract award. This revelation exposed the extent of irregularities and corruption within the entire process.”
Following the adoption of the motion, it was referred to the Committees on Justice and Financial Crimes for further investigation and input.
The decision by the House of Representatives marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Nigeria and P&ID, shedding light on allegations of misconduct and corruption surrounding the disputed gas project.