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SERAP Calls On President Tinubu To Investigate Missing $15 Billion And N200 Billion Oil Revenues
SERAP Calls On President Tinubu To Investigate Missing $15 Billion And N200 Billion Oil Revenues....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a presidential panel of inquiry to expeditiously investigate the disturbing allegations of the disappearance of over US$15 billion in oil revenues and N200 billion designated for refinery repairs during the period spanning 2020 and 2021, as disclosed by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
SERAP has urged the president to publicly identify and condemn any individuals suspected of involvement in the misappropriation of public funds and ensure their effective prosecution, as well as the complete recovery of any illicitly obtained proceeds.
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In a letter dated September 23, 2023, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization emphasized the imperative of pursuing justice and accountability in response to these grave allegations. SERAP emphasized that as President and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Tinubu’s office holds a responsibility to investigate these concerning revelations, bring suspected wrongdoers to justice promptly, and recover any missing public funds.
The letter stated, “Failure to investigate these grave allegations, bring suspected perpetrators to justice, and recover missing public funds could have severe implications for resource allocation, exacerbate the country’s debt burden, breed distrust in your government’s ability to combat high-level corruption, discourage foreign investment, and hinder growth and development.”
SERAP requested that the recommended actions be taken within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter. In the event of non-response, SERAP threatened to take legal action to compel the government to comply with its request in the public interest.
NEITI’s findings indicate a significant breach of public trust and violations of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), national anti-corruption laws, and the nation’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.
These corruption allegations, as documented by NEITI, undermine the nation’s economic development, perpetuate poverty among the majority of Nigerians, and deprive them of opportunities. SERAP stressed that the government has a constitutional duty to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s wealth and resources.
According to NEITI’s 2021 report, government agencies such as the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NNPC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NPDC) failed to remit $13.591 million and $8.251 billion to the public treasury. These funds account for over 70% of the unremitted public funds. NEITI has called for investigations into both NNPC and NPDC, along with the recovery of the missing funds.
The report also highlights that in 2021, the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) and its subsidiaries (the NNPC Group) allegedly spent $6.931 billion on behalf of the Federal Government without appropriation by the National Assembly, raising concerns about the potential misuse of these funds. Additionally, the NNPC reportedly obtained a $3 billion loan in 2012 for the purpose of settling subsidy payments to petroleum product marketers, yet there is a lack of transparency regarding the loan’s details, subsidy, and the beneficiaries of the payments.
NEITI’s report further reveals that N9.73 billion in pipeline transportation revenue earned from Joint Venture operations was paid to the NNPC, but the funds were neither remitted to the Federation nor properly accounted for. In 2021, the NPDC also failed to remit $7.61 million from the sale of crude oil.
The report also notes that approximately N200 billion was allocated for “refinery rehabilitation” between 2020 and 2021, yet none of the refineries were operational in 2021 despite the substantial expenditure. NEITI calls for an investigation into this spending, as the funds may be unaccounted for.
The Ogun State Police Command has reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding lives and property while urging residents to remain calm after the gas leakage incident along Agoro/Okunowa Road in Ijebu-Ode.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Friday incident reportedly impacted more than 100 students and teachers across at least seven schools, including Our Ladies Grammar School, Epe Garage; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende; Titilayo Agbaje Comprehensive High School, Imosan; Ifesowapo Comprehensive High School, Imosan; St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Imosan; St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure; and Orphanage Primary School, Imosan.
The development comes just six weeks after a similar chemical odour incident at Our Lady of Apostles Primary and Secondary Schools (OLAS), where 30 students and two teachers were hospitalised.
In a statement released through the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, assured residents that the situation has been contained.
Ojajuni disclosed that the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit and other tactical teams were immediately deployed to secure the affected locations, assist emergency responders, and protect the public.
He stated that the situation is now under control, while monitoring and technical evaluations are ongoing.
According to him, the incident came to light when patrol officers in the area received reports of a suspected chemical emission affecting students and residents in parts of Ijebu-Ode.
He added that all affected victims were swiftly evacuated to the General Hospital and private medical facilities for urgent treatment, confirming that no deaths were recorded and that all victims are responding well to medical care.
Preliminary environmental checks from the state’s Air Quality Monitoring infrastructure reportedly detected elevated methane gas levels within the affected zone, while experts and emergency agencies continue investigations to identify the exact source and evaluate possible environmental dangers.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, described the incident as more of a security matter than a direct safety threat.
Bello dismissed claims that widespread air pollution caused the incident, stressing that the situation was limited to certain schools rather than the entire Ijebu-Ode community.
Speaking during visits to St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure, the State General Hospital, Esure, and a private hospital in the town, Bello urged parents, guardians, and residents to stay calm, assuring them that the government is actively working to resolve the situation.
Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold has spoken candidly about the stigma he has faced as someone living with sickle cell disease.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
During a recent interview with media personality Angela Yee, the Orente singer shared that people often react with pity or assume he may not live long whenever he reveals his health condition.
Reflecting on one of the darkest moments of his life, Adekunle Gold recounted how, at the age of 20, he endured an intense sickle cell crisis that left him wishing for death because of the unbearable pain.
He explained that the episode was so severe that even his mother, who would usually caution him against such thoughts, was unable to do so that night because of the seriousness of his suffering.
Recalling the experience, he said at the time he felt overwhelmed by pain and believed death was the only relief.
Despite those painful struggles, the singer expressed deep gratitude to God for giving him the strength to keep fighting and survive while living with sickle cell disease.
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2027 Shock Twist: Ex-APC Governorship Hopeful Joins Labour Party, Backs Tinubu For President.
Former Executive Director of Housing, Finance and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority, Abuja, Mathias Byuan, has officially obtained the Labour Party’s expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the 2027 governorship election in Benue State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Despite his move to the Labour Party, Byuan has openly declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The governorship aspirant visited the Labour Party national secretariat on Friday alongside other hopefuls seeking tickets for Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats across Benue State’s three senatorial zones.
Speaking with journalists after obtaining the forms, Byuan said that although he would pursue his governorship ambition under the Labour Party platform, he remains committed to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He stated that Tinubu’s administration has initiated significant developmental projects across the country, including in Benue State, and deserves another term to complete them.
Byuan urged his supporters to vote for Tinubu in the presidential election while also supporting him and other Labour Party candidates in Benue during the 2027 polls.
He explained that his decision to contest under the Labour Party was driven by his determination to address insecurity and what he described as poor governance in Benue State.
Byuan criticized the current state administration for allegedly failing in key responsibilities, including the payment of workers’ salaries, which he said has contributed to industrial actions by health and local government employees.
He promised that if elected governor, his administration would prioritize security, citizens’ welfare, healthcare, education, housing, road infrastructure, and rural development.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Akange Nyagba, party leaders and supporters at the Labour Party secretariat expressed confidence in his ambition and pledged their support.
Byuan had previously sought the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before later defecting to the Labour Party.
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