Group Urges Tinubu to Probe NNPCL GCEO, Calls for Senate Bench Warrant over ₦230trn Alleged Fraud
An accountability and pro-democracy group, the Network for Good Governance and Accountability in Nigeria (NeGGAN), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an immediate and independent probe into the multiple allegations surrounding the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bayo Ojulari.
The group also urged the Nigerian Senate to invoke relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018, to issue a bench warrant against the NNPCL boss over his alleged refusal to honour invitations by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts in connection with the ongoing probe of about ₦230 trillion in unaccounted funds.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Engr. Jacob Yakubu, and made available to journalists on Friday, NeGGAN questioned why President Tinubu had yet to order an independent investigation into the activities of Engr. Ojulari, despite what it described as multiple allegations and petitions reportedly submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by various organisations.
The group expressed concern that the NNPCL GCEO had allegedly “brazenly disrespected the National Assembly” by repeatedly declining invitations from the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, thereby undermining the legislature’s constitutional oversight powers.
According to the group, Ojulari was summoned severally by the Senate to respond to queries arising from NNPCL’s audited financial statements covering 2017 to 2023, which reportedly revealed financial discrepancies amounting to over ₦210 trillion.
The Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada, had earlier raised concerns over accrued expenses of about ₦103 trillion, including retention fees of ₦600 billion, unspecified legal fees and auditor charges, allegedly without supporting documentation or referenced contracts.
NeGGAN noted that after failing to appear before the committee, the NNPCL boss reportedly forwarded a written submission stating that the sum comprised ₦103 trillion in accrued expenses and ₦107 trillion in receivables, totalling ₦210 trillion—an explanation the committee reportedly queried.
The group also recalled comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, who in November last year alleged that the NNPCL GCEO was attempting to cover up financial irregularities within the company. According to NeGGAN, Oshiomhole had warned that the alleged sums involved exceeded the amount the Federal Government was seeking to borrow at the time and urged the Senate to compel Ojulari’s appearance.
“It is surprising that about three months later, Ojulari has not done the needful, while the Nigerian Senate appears quiet. Can an individual appointee be more powerful than an institution of government?” the group asked.
NeGGAN further criticised what it described as the silence of the Presidency and anti-graft agencies over the allegations. It recalled reports that the EFCC had last year detained Ojulari over certain allegations before releasing him, without publicly disclosing its findings.
The group said Nigerians deserve clarity on reports suggesting that the NNPCL boss was questioned over alleged transfers of millions of dollars to AA & R Investment Group, a company reportedly linked to Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to the statement, Bashir-Haske was reportedly detained and alleged to have confessed to holding funds on Ojulari’s behalf, yet no official clarification has been made on the amount involved or its current status.
NeGGAN also referenced other allegations, including a reported $21 million kickback scheme involving oil traders and pipeline contractors, as well as claims of non-remittance of ₦500 billion to the Federation Account, which civil society group SERAP had previously urged the EFCC and ICPC to investigate.
“We are not laying fresh allegations,” the group said. “Our concern is that despite the gravity of these allegations, investigative agencies, the Presidency and the National Assembly appear silent. This creates the impression that the NNPCL GCEO is above the law.”
