Oscarline Onwuemenyi
06 October 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru.
SERAP was responding to allegations made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu against the NNPC GMD.
Kachikwu in a letter to President Buhari had claimed the NNPC GMD was sidelining him from important decisions in the agency. He also accused Baru of corruption and insubordination.
In a letter dated 5th October 2017 and signed by its executive director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, SERAP said, “The allegations against the NNPC GMD should not be taken lightly. Years of corruption in the NNPC which has been unattended to has led to consequences against the vulnerable groups of the society.”
It added that “The allegations by Dr. Kachikwu constitute grave breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act of 2000; and the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNAC) which Nigeria recently ratified.
“In particular, the UN Convention Against Corruption imposes clear obligations on Nigeria to investigate allegations of corruption such as the present one; prosecute suspected perpetrators and ensure return and repatriation of proceeds of corruption,” it stated.
SERAP further noted the recent allegations of corruption against Mr Baru by Dr. Kachikwu, Minister of State of Petroleum and Chairman NNPC Board.
It stated that, “In the letter to you, Dr Kachikwu alleged among others appointments and postings in NNPC without due process; award of contracts above $20m without following the legal and procedural requirements for such contracts including the Crude Term contracts – valued at over $10bn; the Direct Sales Direct Purchase (DSDP) contracts – valued over $5bn; the AKK pipeline contract – value approximately $3bn; various financing allocation funding contracts with the NOCs – value over $3bn; and various NPDC production service contracts – valued at over $3bn–$4bn.”
