Don't Miss


Home   >   Goverment   >   $1.1 billion Malabu Oil Probe stalled by Jonathan’s Cabinet

$1.1 billion Malabu Oil Probe stalled by Jonathan’s Cabinet

By on October 6, 2012

The probing of the alleged shady transactions that involved the Federal Government, Shell/Agip and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited on OPL 245 by the House of Representatives is facing serious obstacles.

The Ministers for Petroleum Resources and Finance, Mrs Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stalled the $1.092 billion inquiry by their non-submission of relevant documents.

It is believed that President Jonathan and his senior cabinet members including AGF Bello Adoke were beneficiaries of the transaction lawmakers have described as “shady”.

The investigation was put on hold because the two ministries which are major parties to the investigation failed to make any presentations, according to the Deputy Leader and Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the transaction.

The two Ministers were criticized by the lawmakers for not living up to their responsibilities and described the $1.1 billion transaction between Agip, Shell, and the Federal government in regards to the OPL 245 as “shady.”

In response to the above, the Minister of Finance on her part said she had no prior knowledge of the demands of the committee, since she received no notice to that effect.

“We have a Department of Petroleum Resources that holds all the licences, and they can make the documents available to the committee,” she said.

The Committee in a desperate remark said a letter was dispatch to her office since the 1st of July 2012.

According to Ogor, “We need a clear position from the ministry on this issue; we need to hear from you on this transaction.”

Immediately the clerk was asked to give the letter to Mrs Alison-Madueke, in response, she said, “The letter I have was dated September 19th. I apologise. I would ensure that the documents get to you by next week at the latest. We have the documents.”

Ogor also cautioning the Accountant General’s Office said, “The Accountant General should wake up to his responsibilities and respond to our letter on Signature Bonuses.”

Jagaba Adams Jagaba, advised that in the absence of the needed documents, the committee should adjourn.

“The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources are key and it’s obvious we can’t continue with this investigation,” he said.