Abuja — Human rights and development lawyer Frank Tietie has paid a visit to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, describing his tenure in office as a period when governance in Nigeria was firmly anchored on law, due process, and institutional discipline.
Tietie stated that during Adoke’s time as Attorney-General under former President Goodluck Jonathan, fidelity to legal procedure was not merely rhetorical but demonstrably practised. According to him, that commitment to documentation and process ultimately became Adoke’s strongest shield when he faced what he described as one of the most extensive domestic and international persecutions mounted against a former minister during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
Adoke was subjected to years of investigations, high-profile prosecutions, and multiple charges spanning jurisdictions. However, he emerged without any criminal conviction or civil liability. The most recent libel action against him was also dismissed, further consolidating his legal vindication after prolonged scrutiny.
Tietie noted that his appreciation of the former AGF deepened after reading his memoir, Burden of Service, which he described as candid and meticulously documented. He characterised the book as more than a personal narrative, calling it a detailed chronicle of public service under intense political pressure.
He also expressed pride in receiving copies of Adoke’s latest publication, OPL 245, which addresses one of the most controversial oil and gas transactions in Nigeria’s recent history. According to Tietie, the book confronts prevailing narratives, distortions, and geopolitical interests that shaped public perception of the matter.
Recalling a conversation with the former minister, Tietie said he once asked Adoke why he chose to return from exile to face charges in Nigeria. The response, he said, was resolute: “With the truth, you fear nothing.”
Tietie concluded that one of Adoke’s enduring lessons for public office holders is the importance of meticulous record-keeping from the first day in office. He emphasised that when integrity is matched with documentation, even the most determined political adversaries will struggle to sustain allegations, regardless of who controls government.
