N3.5tn judgement debt: Buhari delegates Osinbajo to chair ministerial meeting

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The vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, met with minister of finance, budget and national planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, minister of information, Mr. Lai Mohammed and the minister of state for petroleum, Timipre Sylva over the N3.5 trillion ($9.6 billion) judgment debt a British court awarded against Nigeria.
It was gathered that the meeting was summoned on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari in the face of concerns about the economic implications of the controversial judgment.
Others in attendance were the minister of state for Niger Delta Affairs, Festus Keyamo; group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Mele Kyari.
Besides, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele were in attendance.
It was learnt that the federal government’s lawyer in the case, who was based in the UK, was part of the meeting to give “an update on the case.”
Besides, it was gathered that before the meeting with the vice president, Malami was said to have met with Buhari to brief the president on the latest developments concerning the P&ID case.
Punch reports that he was sighted in company with the chief of staff to the president, Mr. Abba Kyari, on their way to Buhari’s office.
“It is most likely the attorney general of the federation came to brief Mr. President on the federal government’s chances and options.
“It is to guide the government in taking the appropriate steps. There have been mentions that the government will appeal the judgment.
“There are also comments by the minister of information and culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, suggesting that the government is also not ruling out negotiations with the P&ID on how to resolve the issue. The attorney general’s visit may be part of the ongoing discussions within the government to decide on the immediate step to take,” said a source.

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