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

Fresh facts have emerged in the long-running Utan–BRAMA victims’ compensation case, with official records from the Federal Ministry of Justice indicating that former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, was not involved in the payment process.
Documents obtained by Nigerian Concord show that compensation to victims of the Utan–BRAMA crisis was approved and disbursed in 2006, during the tenure of Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, who served at the time as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
According to the records, all financial actions connected to the Utan–BRAMA matter were concluded before Chief Aondoakaa assumed office in 2007. Ministry files also indicate that no payments related to the Utan–BRAMA community were made during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Further findings reveal that when Aondoakaa later took office, there were internal discussions regarding possible interest payments linked to the already concluded compensation. However, sources say he declined to take action, maintaining that the case had been fully settled before his tenure began.
A senior official at the Federal Ministry of Justice, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it would be misleading to attribute responsibility to someone who was not in office at the time the payments were made. The official explained that ministry records clearly show the approvals and disbursements occurred in 2006.
The official added that no funds relating to the Utan–BRAMA case were released under Aondoakaa’s watch.
Legal analysts say the newly surfaced documents clarify the timeline of events and may help correct public misconceptions surrounding the compensation process. They argue that establishing accurate responsibility is critical to ensuring fairness and accountability in public discourse.
Observers also note that the development underscores the importance of relying on verifiable records when assessing sensitive legal and financial matters involving government officials.