NNPC denies paying N20bn to ghost consultants

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it did not pay the sum of N20 billion to ghost consultants.

A report had accused the management of the defunct Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) of sharing payments due to consultants. 

Responding to the report in a statement on Monday, Garba Deen Muhammad, NNPC’s spokesperson, said the national oil firm does not have or deal with ghost consultants.

He said the process of engaging consultants whenever the need arises is “clear and verifiable and follows global best practices”.

“It is therefore unfortunate that for whatever reason, the said online platform would make such a grievous allegation, mindless of the consequences of such actions,” he said.

“The claim of a missing N20 billion is absolutely false and baseless.”

Muhammad also clarified allegations that NNPC was complicit in the theft of multi-billion naira tax due to the Ogun state government.

“The second component of the said unfortunate report is related to Ogun state government claiming a back duty tax liability of about N18 billion, against an NNPC subsidiary, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) Ltd,” he said.

“For clarity, PPMC had objected and challenged the claim through its tax consultant.”

The spokesperson said the Ogun state government took the matter to court “which is not unusual in business circles”.

He stressed that the matter is currently before the court, adding that NNPC will prove its case accordingly.

“In conclusion, NNPC Ltd strongly advises the said online publication to be mindful of the consequences of its actions before taking them,” Muhammad said.

“For a matter that is already in court, as admitted by the online publication, it is sad that any medium can arrive at such sub judice conclusions as shown by the actions of the online medium.”