UTAN–BRAMA: Fresh Facts Emerge as Justice Ministry Clears Aondoakaa of Involvement

Fresh details have emerged in the Utan–BRAMA victims’ compensation case, as official documents from the Federal Ministry of Justice indicate that former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, was not involved in the payment process.Documents obtained by Nigerian Concord show that the compensation to victims of the Utan–BRAMA crisis was approved and paid in 2006, during the tenure of Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, who served at the time as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.Further findings by this newspaper indicate that when Chief Aondoakaa later assumed office in 2007, there were discussions regarding possible interest payments on the matter. However, according to sources within the Ministry, he declined to act on it, stating that the case had been concluded before his tenure.A senior official at the Federal Ministry of Justice, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Nigerian Concord that it would be misleading to suggest that someone who assumed office in 2007 was responsible for payments allegedly made in 2006. The official said ministry records show that no funds relating to the Utan–BRAMA community were disbursed during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.The official added that all financial actions on the Utan–BRAMA matter were concluded before Aondoakaa took office.Legal observers say the documents now in circulation clarify the timeline of events and may help correct public misconceptions surrounding the case.