In a surprising development, Grace Taiga, the former director of legal services at Nigeria's petroleum ministry, who was accused of receiving bribes from Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID), has passed away. The circumstances of her death, however, were not disclosed to the public until now.
Multiple sources have confirmed that Grace Taiga succumbed to kidney issues in September 2023. She will be laid to rest in Delta state in December, as revealed by sources familiar with the matter.
Grace Taiga had a notable career, having served in key positions within the ministries of petroleum resources and defense. She retired on September 1, 2010, leaving an indelible mark on the Nigerian bureaucracy. Her exact age remains unconfirmed, but it is believed she was in her mid-70s at the time of her passing.
Taiga's connection to the P&ID scandal, which garnered international attention, involved allegations of receiving illicit payments to influence the controversial gas supply and processing agreement (GSPA) against Nigeria. The London Court of International Arbitration had previously awarded $6.6 billion plus seven percent interest against Nigeria in January 2017 for breaching the GSPA.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Taiga of accepting illegal payments from Marshpearl Limited, a company controlled by P&ID owners, through her daughter. Even after her retirement, she continued to receive payments from P&ID directors.
Furthermore, Taiga faced allegations of failing to follow due process in providing legal advice on the GSPA. In 2019, she was arrested, charged, and remanded at the Suleja prison after pleading "not guilty" to an eight-count charge of fraud leveled against her by the EFCC. Subsequently, she was granted a N10 million bail by the court.
Notably, in a recent development, Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales upheld Nigeria's request to set aside the $11 billion arbitration award due to allegations of fraud. During the proceedings, Taiga appeared as a witness for P&ID and was cross-examined by Nigeria. The judge found evidence suggesting that bribes were paid to Taiga both before and after the contract on behalf of P&ID, thus reinforcing Nigeria's allegations.
Grace Taiga's death is the latest in a series of mortalities connected to the P&ID case, further adding intrigue to the unfolding narrative. The circumstances surrounding her passing and the impact on the ongoing legal disputes remain a topic of interest and speculation
Source: The Cable
