Diezani, NNPC shun Reps’ hearing on private jet

* Senate begins fresh probe

Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Andrew Yakubu yesterday failed to honour the invitation of the House of Representatives committee investigating alleged spending of N10 billion to maintenance a private jet for the minister.

The committee on public account had on March 26th invited the minister and NNPC to appear yesterday over the allegation.

A member of the committee told Daily Trust in confidence after the fruitless wait for the minister that their refusal to turn up had delayed the job of the committee.

Also, the Senate committee on petroleum resources downstream has launched an investigation into the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over alleged misuse of public funds in the lease of aircraft.

Daily Trust gathered that the committee led by Senator Magnus Abe (APC, Rivers) had invited the corporation’ stop officials including the Group Managing Director Mr. Andrew Yakubu repeatedly for meeting over the allegations but they failed to appear before them since October last year.