The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Nigeria AGIP Oil Company’s managing director and top management staff in response to a petition alleging $72 million in diverted funds.
This follows a petition by De Coon Service Limited against AGIP, according to The Punch
Also joined in the petition are the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Mele Kyari; Ali Zara; Ismailia Mohammed; and ex-executive Secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote.
In the petition, De Coon Service Limited alleged that AGIP, in partnership with the aforementioned individuals, fraudulently withheld and diverted more than $72 million that belonged to it.
According to the letter of summons/hearing notice issued on June 10, 2024, and signed by the committee chairman, the parties involved are required to appear before the committee on Thursday, June 20, 2024, with a soft copy and ten hard copies of their brief on the subject.
The letter read in part, “Whereas the above-named petition is now pending before this committee and the particulars aforesaid are hereby attached.
“And whereas the petition has been assigned to be heard by the committee for determination, you are hereby required to note Section 88 and 89(C) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and appear in person before this committee on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 2.00 pm or so soon thereafter as the committee shall direct.”
The letter further stated that any party who fails to attend the hearing risks having the matter decided in his or her absence.
When contacted and asked to state what the corporation knows about the claim and whether the oil firm’s boss will attend the hearing, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, urged that questions be referred to the committee.
He said “It would be more appropriate if you ask the committee. They might be in a better position to explain it to you.”
Attempts to get the reactions of the petroleum ministry and NUPRC were fruitless, as spokespersons for the organizations are yet to respond to media inquiries at the moment.
While Mr Wabote could not be reached, officials from the NCDMB declined to comment.
Also, Oando’s secretary, Ayotola Jagun, denied calls to her line.
