Crude Oil Swap: Reps Cautions Deziani, Momoh; Issues Final Summons

Deziani Alison Madueke

THE House of Representatives has issued a final warning to the former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke and the former Managing Director of Petroleum Pricing Marketing Company, PPMC, Haruna Momoh to appear before it or be ready to face the wrath of the Parliament.

The development followed the duo’s snub to appear before the ad hoc committee of the House investigating the oil swap deal between the NNPC and some companies to clarify her involvement and roles in view of the weighty allegations linking her to the approvals of the deal.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon Zakari Mohammed who frowned at the development stated that the ex-minister’s refusal to appear was strategic, and adopted as a means towards frustrating the job of the committee.

However, he vowed that the committee cannot be intimidated through any guise and therefore offered to extend a final chance to the invitee to ensure that she is fundamentally given a fair hearing in line with the Nigerian Constitution.

Speaking further, the chairman threatened that if she failed to show up to clear herself of the roles she allegedly played, the committee would have no other option than to conclude its reports against her adding that accountability is a component of democracy that cannot be overemphasized. 

“We will give her another chance to come and defend her action. It will be fair to grant her another opportunity before we compile our report. But in the event we do not hear from her, we will be left with no chance but to take necessary action against her and all theses will reflect in the committee’s report”.

“Anyone who has contact with the former minister and MD should advise them not to dare the Parliament and appear before the committee, adding that it will take appropriate action” , he said.

It would be recalled that the committee had sent invitation through the group Managing Director of NNPC to them to appear before it in respect of the allegations that she approved and awarded contracts arbitrarily as the Minister without following due process.

Further revelations from the federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) indicated that the two  companies engaged by PPMC for the crude Oil swap  evaded taxes valued at a total of $651 million for a period of four years with Transfigura owing  $642,536,470 while Duke Oil, $4.7 million in taxes.