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A factional national leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has alleged that the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, is sponsoring and imposing Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the union’s leader.
In an open letter to President Tinubu, signed by NURTW President, Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa, the union called for the President’s immediate intervention to address what it described as a “war of attrition” against the organization.
The letter, titled “SOS: A Passionate Appeal for Your Immediate Intervention; Re: War of Attrition Against National Union of Road Transport Workers by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff,” and dated December 24, 2024, accused Gbajabiamila of orchestrating MC Oluomo’s emergence as the union’s president.
The NURTW leadership stated that the controversy destabilizing the union stemmed from Gbajabiamila’s alleged actions, urging the President to take swift steps to resolve the crisis.
MC Oluomo recently secured unanimous votes from all delegates at the Union’s Zone 2 Quadrennial Delegate Conference held in Osogbo, Osun State.
He was nominated by the Ondo State Chairman of the Union, with the nomination seconded by the Ekiti State Chairman.
The Acting National President of the Union, Aliyu Ore, through his representative at the conference, asserted that MC Oluomo’s emergence as president aligns with the Union’s constitution.
But Baruwa in the letter, also endorsed by the Acting General Secretary, Comrade Sulaimon A. Musa and Treasurer, Bello Maduganari, stated, “We, the concerned National Officers and members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), have found it necessary to bring to your attention through this medium, the benighted and awry fate of the Union.
“We wish to draw Your Excellency’s attention to the challenges currently facing the National leadership of the Union, which we believe are exacerbated by certain actions attributed to the Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.”
The letter further read, “The situation leaves no hope of survival for the Union unless there is definitive intervention by your humble self.
“Your Excellency Sir, since last year, there are concerns about actions that appear to undermine the Union’s constitution, allegedly aimed at influencing the leadership structure of the Union in a manner inconsistent with due process.
“We have been keeping quiet, believing that common sense will eventually prevail.
“To that effect and law-abiding citizens, we chose to handle the matter legally, but the situation keeps getting from bad to worse, hence this open letter to your exalted office for intervention.”
The letter explained that on May 24, 2023, Baruwa was duly elected for a second term in office and sworn in on August 21, 2023, in accordance and strict adherence to the provisions of the constitution of the Union.
It noted, “However, on August 28, 2023, it has been reported that a group of individuals forcefully entered the National Secretariat, resulting in the disruption of the duly elected leadership of the Union, and other National officers of the Union in the interest of peace and to avoid bloodshed, we instituted action at the National Industrial Court, Abuja against the illegal action of the former president and legitimate group in suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.
“The National Industrial Court on the 11th of March 2024, the court delivered judgment in our favour.”
Not satisfied with the judgment of the National Industrial Court, “Our opponents filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja and on November 8, 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled on the matter and affirmed the judgment of the trial court.
“Soon after the Court of Appeal judgment, the former president, Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin purportedly inaugurated Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) as illegal president of the Union even when the said MC Oluomo did not participate in any election for the presidency of the Union as he was not a member of the Union at the time of the election as he voluntarily existed himself from the Union having publicly denounced his membership of the Union and joined the Lagos state Park Management Committee.
“Sir, we have received information suggesting that certain influential figures may be providing support to individuals acting in defiance of court orders, as contained in the judgments of the National Industrial Court as validated by the Court of Appeal.
“It is on record that there are allegations that some individuals have expressed confidence in their actions based on perceived backing from high-ranking officials, which undermines the rule of law and the judiciary’s authority.
“We are prompted to bring this matter before Your Excellency because we sincerely believe that the “coup de grace” will come from you, being an advocate of democracy and the rule of law.
“Your Excellency Sir, we further employ you to use your good offices to cause a proper scrutiny of the doings of the Chief of Staff, with a view to saving a portentously vicious circle to industrial democracy, nay to political democracy, which the Federal Government has been sparing no resources to plant and enthrone as basis of the Nigeria polity.”
Nigerian actor Patrick Doyle has praised Afrobeat sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, for his ability to maintain composure in the face of public criticism, stating that the more the singer is attacked, the more his global stature continues to rise.
Doyle made the comments in a post on his Facebook account on Sunday, likening the artist’s path to a philosophy by the late Obafemi Awolowo.
Doyle explained that Awolowo had shared how, throughout his life, adversities and criticisms—often aimed at discrediting him—would eventually transform into blessings.
He wrote, “I remember attending a birthday party for Segun Awolowo in his illustrious grandfather’s stately home in Ikene. In the hall adjacent to the mansion where the party took place was an inscription “Eebudola” under a drawing of the zodiac sign of Pisces.
“It was a few years later when I read in an interview that the sage granted what ‘Eebudola’ meant.
“He explained that he had noticed a pattern in his life’s trajectory about how that everything his peers and adversaries used to cast aspersion on him usually turned out to be a blessing for him in the end. The explanation resonated with me profoundly and reinforced my fanatical admiration for the great man.”
Going further, Doyle stated that this concept plays out in the life of Davido saying, “Bringing it to the present, I have noticed a young man who of late has been on the receiving end of aspersions from his peers.
“As for the unwarranted abuse from his peers, it appears that the more they attack him and he ignores them, the more his stature as a global star shines.”
He added that Davido is “perhaps the least arrogant of his peers even when he has the credentials to be the most arrogant given the aristocracy of his antecedents compared to his street brought up peers.”
“Truly, the Awolowo “Eebudola” concept is working in the life of young David Adeleke, the Eebudola of the entertainment industry,” he wrote.
Further describing Davido attitude to criticisms, Doyle added, “I have also noticed his attitude towards them and the relentless attacks. He has, for the most part, maintained a calm disposition and a reluctance to engage his adversaries.”
The actor further praised Davido approach to conflict, saying, “I find this to be commendable, and I imagine it is an inherited trait from his father who, though a business mogul, is possibly the most self effacing billionaire around.”
The actor however noted that while Davido appears to be “flashy and brash at first look,” his career “demands he be that way.”
“On a few occasions, when he has erred and been corrected by elders, he has humbly redirected his steps and never once retorted rudely to correction,” Doyle added.
“In short, he has displayed all the traits of a true “Omoluabi” in this regard.”
The founder of Landmark Africa Group, Paul Onwuanibe, has spoken about the devastating impact of the sudden demolition of Landmark Leisure Beach, which wiped out over $30 million in investments and left thousands of lives disrupted.
Speaking on The KK Show via YouTube on Sunday, Onwuanibe described the emotional and financial toll of the event, which took place with just seven days’ notice.
“Let’s put this into perspective; Landmark consists of three parts—our business, our leisure, and our lifestyle. What was demolished was our leisure business, a significant part of both our revenue and our physical infrastructure. The initial reaction was shock, and then anger. You go through the five stages of grief—shock, anger, bargaining, concern, and finally acceptance,” he said.
Onwuanibe revealed that the beach site had been acquired in 2006 for $17 million and further developed with a $30 million loan secured abroad.
“It was my life’s work—27 years of hunting, farming, and working. Six years ago, we borrowed $30 million to develop that beach. Half of that money was spent on infrastructure you couldn’t even see, like underground drainage, water reticulation systems, and fiber-optic cables. The demolition wiped out six years of investment in six hours,” he said.
The demolition affected not only Landmark’s ecosystem but also the livelihoods of thousands.
“We had over 1,000 employees and 50 small and medium enterprises directly impacted. Over 4,000 people were employed, and with Nigeria’s dependency factor of 16, the ripple effects are unimaginable,” he said.
Onwuanibe recounted the chaos and losses experienced by the businesses within the beach’s ecosystem.
“Many businesses didn’t have time to remove their equipment—TVs, fridges, even furniture. There were guests in the pool when Breeze was being demolished. It was tragic,” he added.
The demolition also disrupted services for the beach’s 160,000 members and violated existing contracts.
“We had 9.2 billion Naira of members’ money in our accounts. There were over 200 contracts—supply of water, fumigation, lifeguard services—all of which had to be renegotiated. Sometimes, you wish there was a natural disaster so you could invoke force majeure, but this wasn’t the case,” he lamented.
Beyond the physical infrastructure, Onwuanibe highlighted the larger impact on the surrounding community.
“The guy parking cars on the streets lost his job. The person selling sweets at the gate had no customers. Hotels built outside Landmark that thrived on the four and a half million annual visitors were affected.”
Despite the immense challenges, Onwuanibe emphasised resilience.
“At some stage, you have to accept it and move on. You either lie down and cry or get up and go,” he said, underscoring his determination to rebuild and learn from the experience.
In April 2024, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, ordered the closure of Landmark Beach for demolition purposes.
According to him, the demolition was necessary because the landmark centre was on the federal government’s Right-of-way.
In a move to address the unique skincare challenges faced by women of colour, Skin by Zaron has launched a new Vitamin C range designed to tackle concerns such as hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and sensitivity to harsh formulations.
Formally unveiled at a press conference in Lagos recently, the range aims to provide tailored beauty solutions for melanin-rich skin, an often underrepresented segment in the skincare industry.
During the event, representatives from Skin by Zaron shared insights into the rigorous formulation process, emphasising the use of high-quality ingredients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, castor oil, and collagen, combined with soothing agents to ensure the products brighten and hydrate without causing irritation.
The range includes a cleanser, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen—all designed to work in tandem to address common skin concerns while providing essential sun protection, a key factor for melanin-rich skin prone to pigmentation issues from sun exposure.
Founder and CEO of Zaron Cosmetics Limited, Oke Maduewesi, took attendees through what informed the formulation of the range:
“As the fastest-growing beauty brand in Africa, what we really pride ourselves on is that we make products for women of colour, by women of colour, who better understand and develop products for them. Our brand’s shift to skincare was informed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the skin education it spurred at the time, leading to extensive research spanning years that involved tests on actual Africans under similar conditions in Africa.”
She added, “A few years ago, I’m sure we all witnessed how Nigerians gravitated towards skin-whitening products. When we started Skin by Zaron, many told us we would be out of business if we didn’t have a bleaching range. But our reputation doesn’t support that.”
The introduction of this Vitamin C range further reflects Skin by Zaron’s commitment to inclusivity, reinforcing the brand’s role in promoting accessible, effective skincare solutions for women of colour in Africa.
[ThisDay]
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has indicated that the net foreign exchange (FX) inflows into the economy increased by 65.7 percent year-on-year (YoY), reaching $46.92 billion during the first ten months of 2024 (10m’24).
The CBN’s Economic Report for the review period showed that the rise was from $28.31 billion in the corresponding period of 2023.
Aggregate forex inflow to the economy rose YoY by 41 percent to $79.8 billion in 10m’24 from $55.57 billion in 10m’23.
However, forex outflows from the economy fell by 1.4 percent YoY to $29.84 billion in 10m’24 from N30.29 billion in 10m’23.
Analysis showed that inflows through autonomous sources rose by 0.06 percent YoY to $35.82 billion in 10m’24 from $34.4 billion in 10m’23.
Similarly, outflows from autonomous sources surged by 195 percent year-on-year, reaching $7.08 billion in the first ten months of 2024, up from $2.4 billion in the same period of 2023.
As a result, net foreign exchange inflow from autonomous sources increased by 73 percent year-on-year, totaling $39.7 billion in the first ten months of 2024, compared to $22.93 billion in the prior year.
The figures also show that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) inflows grew by 55 percent year-on-year, amounting to $32.94 billion in 10m’24, up from $21.25 billion in 10m’23.
Conversely, outflows via the CBN saw a slight decline of 1.11 percent, dropping to $25.74 billion in 10m’24 from $26.03 billion in 10m’23.
Consequently, net forex inflow through the CBN skyrocketed by 556.8 percent year-on-year, rising to $7.16 billion in 10m’24 from a negative figure of -$1.09 billion in 10m’23.
In its Economic Report for October 2024, the central bank noted that the economy experienced a decrease in month-on-month net foreign exchange inflow, attributed to reduced inflows through the Bank.
“Foreign exchange flows through the economy amounted to a net inflow of $4.86 billion, relative to $6.35 billion in September 2024.
“Aggregate foreign exchange inflow increased to $9.15 billion, from $8.59 billion in the preceding month.
“Similarly, foreign exchange outflow increased to $4.29 billion, from $2.24 billion in the preceding month.
“Foreign exchange inflow through the bank declined to $4.48 billion, from $5.22 billion in the preceding month, while autonomous inflow increased to $4.67 billion, from $3.37 billion in the preceding month.
“Outflow through the bank rose to $3.73 billion, from $1.84 billion, while autonomous outflow fell to $0.56 billion, from $0.40 billion in September 2024.
“Consequently, a net inflow of $4.11 billion was recorded through autonomous sources, compared with $2.97 billion in September 2024, while the bank recorded a net inflow of $0.75 billion, relative to US$3.38 billion in the preceding month.”
[Leadership]
Popular skit maker, Mark Angel, has revealed how he lost $3.7 million to forex trading, with his properties taken away by loan sharks.
Describing 2024 as his worst year in a post on Instagram on Sunday, the content creator said the losses brought him to the brink of hopelessness.
He said the period exposed his fake friends, but his ex-wife, children and pastor came through for him to give him emotional support.
He wrote, “The year 2024 began like every other year, but I had no idea how much it would test me how much it would break me, yet ultimately reshape me. It was the year I lost everything. I trusted the wrong hands in forex and lost all my money. Nobody knew except my family and closest circle.
“The weight of the loss, over $3.7 million was suffocating. I was drowning in debts, and one by one, I watched all my properties slip into the hands of loan sharks. It felt like my world was crumbling, and in my darkest moments, I considered ending it all.
“But God… If not for His mercies, I wouldn’t be here writing this. He sent angels into my life when I needed them the most. Blessing, my friend who became family, never gave up on me. My pastor and his wife stood by me, praying and guiding me. My daughters, Victoria and Mila, reminded me of the beauty of life, even when it felt unbearable. My ex-wife Mandy extended a hand of kindness I will never forget. My son, Schoolboy, showed me strength beyond his years. And Bright, my social media assistant, stood as a pillar in moments I thought I’d collapse.”
Mark Angel further explained that while he was still trying undergoing therapy to recover from the trauma, life dealt him another blow.
“A scandal hit, shaking the foundation of my career and questioning the loyalty of those around me. It was in that storm that God began to uncover the truth. He exposed the fake friends, the pretenders, and the ones who had been silently sabotaging my peace and my circle. It was painful, but it was necessary.
“2024 was the hardest year of my life, but it was also the year God drew me closer to Him. Through the ashes, He taught me resilience, faith, and the true meaning of grace. I don’t take it for granted that I’m alive today. To everyone who stood with me, prayed for me, and held me up when I had no strength left, thank you.
“Here’s to God’s unwavering faithfulness. If 2024 taught me anything, it’s that even in the darkest valleys, His light never stops shining,” he added.
[DailyTrust]
The Labour Party, LP, has announced that its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi will not receive an automatic ticket to run in the 2027 elections.
Reports from Newsone Nigeria confirm that the party has stated Obi will not be guaranteed a direct nomination for the upcoming election. Obi had previously left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest under the Labour Party banner.
Labour Party officials assert that all positions, including the presidency, governorship, and others, will be open for competition in the next election cycle.
Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, clarified this stance in an interview with Dailypost over the weekend, stating, “No political party gives automatic tickets; all positions are up for contest.”
Famous American media personality Candace Owens has expressed deep admiration for Nigerians.
The political commentator said she wished she were Nigerian.
According to her, Nigerians are cultural and have a strong value system.
Speaking during a recent episode of her show, Owens said she is a big fan of Nigeria.
“I’m a Nigerian stan. I think Nigerians have their culture together. Whenever you meet a Nigerian, whether a doctor in the US, their families take marriage very seriously.
“I wish I were Nigerian. I do a little bit, but I’m not. They do have a good culture… I’m a Nigerian stan. They are funny. They have very good values,” she said in a video clip shared via her TikTok page.
[DailyPost]
Germany has launched a new online platform to simplify the visa application process for Nigerians seeking to work, study or join family members in the country.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the online visa application portal as a positive development that will help the country meet its demand for skilled workers.
“Every year, Germany is short of at least 400,000 skilled workers. 400,000 clever minds and even more agile hands to keep our country running – in the skilled crafts sector, in the care sector, in tech companies. Our national economy is also in a global competition to attract trainees, apprentices, and students.
“At times like these, we cannot afford to downright put the best off coming here to roll up their sleeves because of long paper application forms and even longer waiting periods.
“At times like these, as one of the biggest economies and as a modern country of immigration, we need a national visa process that is state-of-the-art – modern, digital and secure,” Ms Baerbock said.
Accessible globally, the portal allows applicants to select from 28 categories of national visas and is available to all 167 German visa offices worldwide.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise the immigration process and address Germany’s pressing shortage of skilled workers.
By simplifying visa access, Germany hopes to attract skilled workers and ensure a more inclusive and responsive immigration system in line with modern demands.
[TheNation]
A legal showdown is unfolding between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 33 of its former employees, who allege wrongful termination in a mass dismissal exercise conducted earlier in 2024.
The retrenched staff, represented by Stephen Gana and others, have filed a class-action lawsuit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja, accusing the apex bank of violating internal policies, labour laws, and contractual rights.
The employees, dismissed via letters titled “Reorganisational and Human Capital Restructuring” dated April 5, 2024, argue that the termination process contravened Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution and the CBN’s Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual (HRPPM).
They claim the process lacked the consultation and fair hearing mandated by law.
Central to their case is Article 16.4.1 of the HRPPM, which requires consultation with the Joint Consultative Council and adherence to fair procedures before employment actions affecting staff.
The claimants allege that this provision was ignored, stating that they were given only three days to vacate their positions and return official property.
Key Demands Of The Dismissed Staff
In their originating summons, filed on July 4, 2024, the claimants are seeking:
A declaration that their terminations were unlawful and unconstitutional.
Immediate reinstatement to their positions.
Payment of salaries and benefits from the date of termination.
A restraining order preventing further dismissals without due process.
₦30 billion in general damages for psychological distress, hardship, and reputational harm.
An additional ₦500 million as the cost of the suit.
The claimants argue that their employment contracts carried “statutory flavour,” imposing stricter dismissal conditions aligned with public service rules and governing statutes.
The CBN, represented by its legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Inam Wilson, has challenged the suit’s admissibility in a preliminary objection filed on November 4, 2024.
During a court session on November 20, 2024, presiding Justice O. A. Obaseki Osaghae encouraged both parties to pursue an amicable resolution, citing Section 20 of the National Industrial Court Act (NICA) 2006.
“It is my view that parties should attempt an amicable resolution of this dispute,” Justice Obaseki Osaghae stated.
The case was adjourned to January 29, 2025, for the hearing of the preliminary objection or a progress review of settlement discussions.
More...
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday vowed an “all-out battle against corruption” as top leaders convened in Beijing for an annual planning session of the country’s top disciplinary agency.
“We must always maintain our tenacity and perseverance… and resolutely fight the tough, protracted, and all-out battle against corruption,” Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The Chinese leader has overseen a wide-ranging campaign against official corruption since coming to power just over a decade ago.
Proponents say the policy promotes clean governance, but others say it also serves as a means for Xi to purge political rivals.
In November, the ruling Communist Party suspended a top military official and placed him under investigation for “serious violations of discipline,” a common euphemism for corruption.
Admiral Miao Hua had been a member of Beijing’s powerful Central Military Commission, sitting alongside five other men — including Xi at the top.
He joined a host of high-ranking figures, including two former defence ministers, to fall foul of a sweeping crackdown on graft in the country’s armed forces in just over a year.
On Monday, Xi called corruption “the biggest threat” to the Communist Party, adding that “the fight against corruption remains grave and complex.”
Instances of corruption continue to occur, he told the party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection’s meeting, adding that eliminating conditions that fuel graft remains a difficult task.
China in December executed a former official working in Inner Mongolia over crimes including bribery and misappropriation of public funds.
The sweeping anti-corruption drive has also ensnared top names in finance and sport, including former Chinese men’s national football coach Li Tie.
[AFP]
The house of representatives is considering extending the time limit for the prosecution of sexual offences against girls below 13 years of age.
The bill, which has passed the first reading, is sponsored by Bitrus Laori, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Demsa/Numan/Lamurde federal constituency of Adamawa state.
The bill proposes an amendment to sections 218 and 221 of the Criminal Code Act.
Section 218 of the extant law stipulates that: “Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of thirteen years is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life, with or without caning.
“Any person who attempts to have unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of thirteen years is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years, with or without caning.
“A prosecution for either of the offences defined in this section of this Code shall be begun within two months after the offence is committed.
“A person cannot be convicted of either of the offences defined in this section of this Code upon the uncorroborated testimony of one witness.”
The bill seeks to amend the section by replacing the paragraph: “A prosecution for any of the offences defined in this section shall be commenced within two months after the offence is committed” with “A prosecution for any of the offences defined in this section shall be commenced within two years after the offence is committed”.
Laori said the two-month period stated in the law is insufficient to gather the necessary facts needed to prosecute an offender and is a “defence to free the offender of criminal responsibility even if it were true that the accused actually committed the offence”.
“The two-month period of limitation within which an offender of these offences has to be prosecuted provides a window of escape from prosecution and punishment of such offenders after two months,” he said.
“Many times where these offences are committed, reporting of the cases, arrest of the offender, investigation, collection and processing of evidence as well as commencement of trial take longer time than two months.
“This is usually influenced by many factors including threats, stigmatisation and absence of willing witnesses to testify for the prosecution.
“The two-month period provided by the law is, without doubt, too short to achieve this.
“The implication is that where the two-month period elapses, the offender is in law free of all criminal responsibility in that regard while the victim is denied justice and the effect of the offence on the victim remains.
“The removal of this time limit would put perpetrators in the know that there is no window of escape for them once they commit this offence and would operate to a great extent in deterring them and others from further committing the offences.”
[TheCable]
Germany has introduced a new digital platform to streamline the visa application process for Nigerians seeking opportunities to work, study, or reunite with family members in the country.
German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock hailed the portal as a significant step towards addressing the nation’s pressing need for skilled professionals.
“Every year, Germany is short of at least 400,000 skilled workers. 400,000 clever minds and even more agile hands to keep our country running – in the skilled crafts sector, in the care sector, in tech companies. Our national economy is also in a global competition to attract trainees, apprentices, and students.
“At times like these, we cannot afford to downright put the best off coming here to roll up their sleeves because of long paper application forms and even longer waiting periods.
“At times like these, as one of the biggest economies and as a modern country of immigration, we need a national visa process that is state-of-the-art – modern, digital and secure,” Baerbock stated.
The online portal, accessible worldwide, offers applicants the ability to choose from 28 categories of national visas and is available at all 167 German visa offices around the globe.
This initiative forms part of Germany’s broader strategy to modernise its immigration system, aiming to attract skilled professionals while fostering a more inclusive and efficient process to meet the challenges of a globalised job market.
A report by the Auditor-General of the federation’s office has indicted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) in the diversion and misappropriation of public funds and non-timely remittance of revenue to the federation account in 2021.
The report, published in November, details cases of unauthorized deductions of N82.9 billion from the federation revenue for refinery rehabilitation and irregular deductions of funds valued at N343 billion from domestic crude sales at the source.
The OAuGF report observed that N343,642,598,726.51 was unilaterally deducted from the gross domestic crude sales as NNPC Value shortfall, Strategic Stock Holding Cost, Crude Oil, and Products Pipeline Losses, as well as the pipeline maintenance and management costs.
The corporation did not provide the details of each cost component for audit review, and the corporation’s management could not justify the reasons for the deductions.
The NNPCL management ought to have paid a net payable sum of N127,075,366,570.65 in May but only remitted the sum of N77 billion, leaving the sum of N50 billion largely unaccounted for.
According to the report, these anomalies are attributed to the weaknesses in the NNPC’s internal control system.
This deduction is a violation of the 2009 Financial Regulations and the OAuGF has advised the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL to provide reasons for the deductions, remit the funds to the federation account, and provide proof of remittance else stand a chance of facing sanctions relating to irregular payments and gross misconduct.
Similarly, the NNPCL was also indicted for the deduction of N82.9 billion from the sale of Crude Oil and Gas (Federation Revenue) from the 2020 and 2021 records for purported refineries rehabilitation.
This deduction was not supported with evidence of authorisation and approvals.
Following these revelations, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a civil society organisation (CSO), directed the GCEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, to account for the misappropriated funds.
The Guardian earlier published a report detailing SERAP’s demands.
The CSO demanded that Kyari identify and hand over those suspected of involvement to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“According to the recently published 2021 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) failed to account for over
N825 billion and $2.5 billion of public funds meant for refinery rehabilitation and repairs, and other oil revenues,” SERAP noted.
SERAP emphasized that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.
[Guardian]