Immediate past Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. Photo Credit: Filed.
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have concluded plans to commence the trial of ex-Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke and others involved in corrupt and illegal activities in the oil sector.
A recent report states that those involved in the alleged over $50 billion that wasn’t remitted from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the federation account under former President Goodluck Jonathan will be probed soon.
It will be recalled that the immediate past Petroleum Resources minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke was arrested with four others by the United Kingdom National Crime Agency on suspicion of bribery, corruption and money laundering on Friday. But was released on Saturday with her trial reported to begin on Monday.
According to a Point Blank News report, the EFCC, Department of State Security Service (DSS), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Federal Ministry of Justice and other agencies set up to probe the petroleum ministry and the NNPC have concluded investigations and forwarded their reports to the presidency.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that President Buhari was determined to bring the oil looters to book and recover Nigeria’s stolen monies and that necessitated the trials which will begin soon.
According to the report, the sum of $4.5 billion which was supposed to have been remitted to the federation account by Messrs. Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko of Atlantic Energy have been found to be laundered and traced to a foreign account. The said account is in LGT Bank, Switzerland with account number 2006431.
Investigations also reveal that funds were also deposited in the name of Atlantic Holding Ltd in LGT Bank with Account number 2005108, and Atlantic Energy DMCC Ltd with account number 2006822 in LGT Bank.
Omokore and Aluko were alleged to have been Diezani Alison-Madueke’s fronts in the money laundering count-charge. They were alleged to have diverted oil revenue on behalf of the ex-petroleum minister.
A source claimed that Omokere, on the leading of Alison-Madueke, had offered to repay $500million to the federation account which was rejected by President Buhari. The plea bargain fell on deaf ears as Buhari reportedly insisted that he refunded the diverted $4.5 billion.
Investigations revealed that in 2013, Atlantic Energy lifted, on behalf of the NNPC, about 2 million barrels of crude oil worth $240 million but remitted only $68million. Furthermore, in 2014, the company lifted about 500,000 barrels of crude worth $54 million but didn’t remit a dime to the federation account.
Other companies to stand trial on charges of money laundering and corruption include Transfigura, on allegation of unremitted $80 million; Ontario Oil, which didn’t remit $135 million; Aiteo $150 million fraud allegation; and Sahara Energy $120 million fraud.
Tonye Cole, Tope Osinubi, Ade Odunsi, and Tunde Ayeni of Sahara Energy, Walter Wagbatsoma of Ontario Oil and Gas Limited, and Benny Peters of Aiteo are the company heads also to stand trial.
Former Group Managing Director NNPC, Austen Oniwon; Reginald Stanley; Haruna Momoh; and Sam Okeke, a former Group General Manager of the NNPC are reported to stand trial for fraudulent activities.
Others listed on the money laundering and corruption suit are Managing Director of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Tony Moemeke; Executive Director, Commercial, Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC); Mr. Frank Amejo; Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe; and Former Managing Director of NPDC, Mr. Abiye Membere.
The source alleged that the former NNPC officials and oil markers conspired with Diezani Alison-Madueke to siphon over $50Billion that was to be remitted to the federation account.
According to the report, the Aig-Imoukhuede committee had recommended that all person involved be made to refund N382 billion to the federal government.
See Also: First Female Petroleum Minister Cum Most Wanted Minister – The Many Sins Of Diezani Alison-Madueke
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