NNPC denies reports of missing N20bn
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited has debunked reports that it hired non-existent consultants, adding that the claims that N20 billion was missing from its vault was false.
The NNPC was reacting to a report published by an online media, “Sahara Reporters”, where it stated that the company paid the sum of N20 billion to non-existent consultants.
The report also alleged that there was a theft of multi-billion Naira tax due, to the Ogun State government.
In a statement published on the NNPC’s Twitter handle, and signed by the Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Garba Deen Muhammed, the company stated that it does not deal with “ghost consultants.”
Muhammed said the process of engaging consultants at the NNPC LTD. was fair and verifiable, adding that it follows global best practices.
He called on the publishers of Sahara Reporters to retract the publication and verify facts before publishing.
He said the PPMC had challenged the claim through its tax consultant which consequently was taken to court by the Ogun state government.
He added the NNPC will prove its case accordingly in the court of justice
.“The NNPC Ltd wishes to state that as a responsible corporate organization, it does not have or deal with ghost consultants,” Muhammad stated.
“At NNPC Ltd, the process of engaging consultants whenever the need arises is clear and verifiable and follow global best practices.
“It is therefore unfortunate that for whatever reason, the said online platform would make such a grievous allegation, mindless of the consequences of such actions. The claim of a missing N20bn is absolutely false and baseless.”
On the Ogun State Government claiming a back duty tax liability of about N18bn, against an NNPC subsidiary, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) Ltd, the company said, “For clarity, PPMC had objected and challenged the claim through its Tax Consultant. Consequently, the Ogun State Government took the matter to court which is not unusual in business circles.
“The matter is currently before the court and NNPC Ltd will prove its case accordingly.”
