Official correspondence from the Office of the Solicitor-General of the Federation has debunked allegations that former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, played any role in the payment of compensation to Utan BRAMA community victims.
According to documents obtained by this newspaper, the settlement sum of N350 million was paid in 2006, at a time when Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, served as Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.
The letter, dated October 20, 2015, clearly outlined the legal representatives of the Utan BRAMA victims, naming Joe Agi, G.A. Udousoro, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, and Barrister Akwagwu. Notably absent from the list was Prime Juris, dispelling claims that Chief Aondoakaa or his law firm handled the matter.
It further stated that no payment was approved or made during Chief Aondoakaa’s tenure, despite several requests by different law firms seeking interest on the judgment sum.
Those requests, the letter noted, were declined, with garnishee proceedings on interest still unresolved.
Investigations revealed that allegations against Chief Aondoakaa gained prominence during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, when proceedings were conducted in his absence while he attended an international engagement in Rome as a member of UNIDROIT.
The controversy was later laid to rest following the recovery of the case file during the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, after Chief Aondoakaa formally demanded it under the Freedom of Information Act.
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