Missing $20bn: CSO demands Diezani, NNPC boss resignation

A civil society coalition under the aegis of Nigerians United Against Corruption (NUAC) has called for the immediate resignation of the petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke and the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Andrew Yakubu, over the alleged $20billion unremitted oil revenue.

A letter addressed to the GMD of NNPC signed by the group’s National Mobilizer, Philip Agbese, urged them to resign within a week, citing failure to account for the $20 billion which Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi alleged to be missing.

Also, there have been media reports alleging the NNPC collected bribe of 195 billion from marketers before allocating them kerosene for sale.

The corporation has however denied the allegation.

A statement from the NNPC spokesman, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said the allegation that it collected N25 per litre bribe before allocation is a fabricated lie to tarnish its image.

The CSO however threatened to mobilize over 60 million crusaders and civil society organisations to the occupy NNPC Towers in Abuja if they fail to heed their advice.

“We have noticed a developing trend that the present regime has decided to adopt a lackluster attitude in its acclaimed fight against corruption as it has recorded the lowest level of combat against corruption by strategically stalling investigation of corrupt practices,” the letter said.

“We shall mobilise over 60 million crusaders including CSOs, leaders of various political parties, stakeholders and other well meaning compatriots to NNPC Towers Abuja to publicly register our grievances and occupy, till proper and sane action is taken on this matter,” it added.