EFCC Storms Kaduna Refinery

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are now in Kaduna to investigate the activities of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The probe follows public outcry over subsidy fraud and federal government’s resolve to trace how the controversial N1.3 trillion was disbursed in 2011.

LEADERSHIP exclusively gathered last night that the EFCC operatives intend to investigate and audit all the transactions of the KRPC over the years.

The minister of petroleum resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, had invited the anti-graft agency to investigate the NNPC based on the KPMG’s interim report.

A source who is close to the refinery, but sought anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, confided in LEADERSHIP that “the operatives of the EFCC have, since their arrival, been interrogating staff of the company including those whose appointments are yet to be confirmed”.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the aim of the visit was to ascertain how the corporation had been distributing refined petroleum products and who had benefitted illegally from the fuel subsidy through over-invoicing, smuggling, false declarations of cargo and other shady practices in the two companies.

Senior officers of the corporation are afraid of being arrested by officers of the anti-graft agency, a sure said.
LEADERSHIP further gathered that the anti-graft body was working on information gathered from documents it carted away from the offices of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

KRPC has over the years, been involved in refining PMS for major marketers in the country, especially from across the North.

Confirming the development, a top official of the EFCC, who sought anonymity said, “Of course, our investigators are currently at the place as part of our job to unravel the circumstances behind the alleged subsidy mismanagement.

“I can also tell you that our team of investigators will also visit other places to carry out thorough investigation
Meanwhile, a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) ,  Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), a former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA ), Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN),  have urged the Acting Chairman,  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, to use the probe of the subsidy fraud  as a window of opportunity to earn the headship of the commission.

The lawyers spoke during separate interviews with one of our correspondents yesterday.
The legal practitioners added that the way Lamorde handled the subsidy mismanagement would prove the seriousness of the federal government in  the war against graft.

Akinjide said, “ Lamorde is a very efficient and reputable person. If you’ve been following his track record, you will find out that he will no doubt be able to do the job. I think we should allow him to settle down, and give him the cooperation he may need.”

For Okocha,   “Do we have any other agency that can do what the EFFCC is charged to do? If the answer is no, then we must give the agency the opportunity to prove that it has what it takes to fight corruption. And to do a good job too. The fact that he is acting should not be an excuse not to do a thorough job. In fact, it is an impetus for him to impress Nigerians. So we can say this is a test case for him. This will actually show whether he can do the job or not”.

Ozekhome said,   “Lamorde,  I believe has a historical opportunity dropped on his laps by God to distinguish himself and to show that he is not going to be anybody’s stooge .He has to show to Nigerians that he has the capability to hold the office of chairman of the EFCC, not as his predecessor did but as a person who has high level of discipline.

“The Senate has also been given a parameter to assess him in the first instance. The subsidy mismanagement is a brazen assault on Nigerians. He, therefore, has to show the Senate that he has the capacity and transparency needed to do the job.  Lamorde has to prove that he is ready to step on toes, no matter how big. He must be able to unravel the mystery of how the subsidy cost rose mysteriously from N240billion budgeted to N1.3trillion within a space of nine months.

“The PPRA has sad that it imports petrol far in excess of what Nigerians consume, so it is obvious that oil marketers pocket the proceeds of this huge expenses.

Nigerians want to see a thorough investigation done, not only that, but that those found to be culpable are prosecuted and brought to book. This will send the right signal that this government is truly committed to fighting corruption to a standstill.”

Via Leadership

3 Comments

1. 

   Anonymous

   January 25, 2012 at 10:03 am

   Madam Petroluem minister .
   Stay out of dirty waters with your beautiful face.

   Dont defend NNPC , i know you were somehow tangled in the mess.

   Stay out of the NNPC messy waters and let the group managing director carry his cross,after all he has gain alot with his cronies .

   Nigerians want thing done straight and good .

   Just an advise sha!!!!!!
2. 

   Anonymous

   January 25, 2012 at 10:47 am

   THERE IS ONLY ONE THING THE EFCC HAS TO SHOW NIGERIANS,  
   EFCC HAS TO PROOF TO THE WORLD AND NIGERIANS THAT ,IT IS CAPABLE TO GET THE ROOT OF THE SUBSIDY SAGA AND CORRECT THE FRAUD ISSUES IN NNPC AND ITS AGENTS .

   THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HAVE TO PROOF TO THE WORLD AS SHE WATCHES NIGERIA, THAT NIGERIANS CAN BE DECENT AND READY TO STOP FRAUD NOW .

   NO DECENT INTERNATIONAL GROUP OR COUNTRY WILL WANT TO ASSOCIATE WITH A COUNTRY WHERE CRIME AND FRAUD IS LIKE NORMAL DAILY ACTIVITIES.

   SUCH HUGE MESS IN THE OIL SECTOR GOES BEYOND NORMAL SITUATION . IT NEED A MARSHAL ACTION AND PUNISHMENTS .

   ITS OUTRAGEOUS, BAD TO THE IMAGE OF NIGERIA, CRIME AGAINST THE POOR MASSES , WHO ARE NOW PAYING  INDIRECTLY OR DIRECTLY TO THE MESS CAUSED BY FEW.

   THE SUBSIDY FRAUD IS A GOOD AVENUE TO MAKE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND EFCC CREDIBLE IN THE EYES OF NIGERIANS AND THE WORLD AS SHE WATCHES.

   IF THE GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NNPC ,HAS ONCE IN HIS LIFE TIME COLLECTED SALARY FOR SUCH POSITION , THERE IS NO NEED TO ASKING HIM QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE FRAUD , BY VIRTUR OF HIS POSITION AND OFFICE , HIS FAITH IS ALREADY FIXED .

   HIS FAILED TO DISCHARGE HIS DUTIES AND POWERS VESTED ON HIM BY NIGERIANS FOR BEING THE MANAGER ,OF A PARENT COMPANY CO-ORDINATING THE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO OIL AND GAS FROM WHICH NIGERIANS DAILY EARNING ARE GOTTEN,

   BUT RATHER CONCENTRATED IN COLLECTING MONEYS AND SALARIES AS GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR ,WITHOUT CONSIDERING OTHERWISE.

   IT IS TOTAL NEGLIGENCE, FAILURE OF DUTY , DISGARCE TO THE ORGANISATION,ABUSE OF OFFICE AND NIGERIA AT LARGE.

   YOUR YASH DON OPEN.
3. 

   Anonymous

   January 25, 2012 at 3:44 pm

   LESSONS MUST BE LEARNT .

   EFCC ,IF YOU CANNOT BRING OUT CREDIBLE RESULTS .

   MAKE IT PUBLIC BEFORE THE OLD LIONS START DOCTORING THE REPORT,WE KNOW THERE WAYS .

   PHOTOCOPY IS ENOUGH . 

   THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN ROBBED SOOO LONG A TIME .

   OLD MEN , HOW MUCH MOEY YOU WANT IN THIS YOUR OLD LIFE .
   WHY NOT DO SOMETHING GOO DFOR THE YOUNGER ONES AT LEAST FOR ONCE