Reps panel: Allegations of ‘illegal’ sale of 48 barrels of crude oil unsubstantiated

The house of representatives committee set up to investigate a whistleblower’s claims that 48 million barrels of Bonny Light crude were illegally sold in China in 2015 says the allegations appear to be completely fraudulent and unsubstantiated.

In a report presented to the house on Wednesday, the committee described the whistleblower’s claim as false.

In December 2022, the green chamber established the panel to investigate all crude oil exports and sales by Nigeria from 2014 till date.

Presenting its findings, the committee said records show that Nigeria produces about 250,000 barrels of bonny light crude daily and is exported mainly from one terminal — Bonny.

According to the lawmakers, it would take about six months and 12 days for up to 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s bonny light crude to be produced.

“It is not feasible to think for over half a year the entire quantity of this very sought-after type of crude oil grade produced by Nigeria and exported from this terminal was stolen out of the country without a trace,” the panel said.

“48 million barrels of crude translates to not less than 48 vessel cargoes of crude oil using the usual maximum loading quantity averagely around 950,000 barrels per vessel with adequate draft at the terminal.

“It is not feasible that up to 48 vessels, which have identifiable IMO numbers, would be utilised to steal Nigeria’s crude oil without a trace when a letter of credit (LC) is usually required to be issued for each crude oil export from Nigeria.”

The committee said Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO) 0f Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, and Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer (CEO) of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), were not involved in the illegal deal. 

“There is no evidence of wrongdoing against Engr. Gbenga Komolafe with regards to these allegations,” they said.

“There is no evidence of wrongdoing by the then NNPC with regards to these allegations.” 

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE 

The panel advised the national assembly, anti-graft, and other agencies of government “not to waste taxpayer’s funds on future investigation of these allegations as they appear to be completely fraudulent and unsubstantiated”.

“The security and anti-graft agencies should be advised to prosecute any of the individuals who initially made these allegations if any one of them continues to peddle these false allegations after the committee’s investigation,” the lawmakers said.

“The Abuja high court handling the case against the related individuals is advised to resume the hearing and prosecution of the case so justice can be meted out appropriately if any of the individuals are found culpable.

“Mr. Jackson Ude and Point Blank News should be advised to issue a public retraction of their publication of these allegations on their website and other media outlets considering the damage this publication has done to the reputation of related government officials and should strongly be admonished to be more circumspect in their future publications.”