Drama as Former Petroleum Minister Diezani and Momoh Refuse to Appear Before Panel

It was drama today as House of Representative ad hoc committee members were shocked to realize that Diezani and Momoh whom they invited to answer questions on $24bn contracts scandal refused to honour their invitation. 

It was a mild drama as former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and one other invited by the ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating the lifting of crude oil worth $24billion in exchange for refined petroleum products refused to appear before the committee. 

They were to answer questions concerning the lifting of crude oil by two crude trading firms - Duke Oil and Trafigura Oil - who lifted crude between 2011 and 2014 without valid contracts.

The committee members were shocked when they realized that the two people they invited were nowhere near the building. The shocked committee chairman was left in surprise.

The committee chaired by an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Kwara State, Mr. Zakari Mohammed had summoned Alison-Madueke and a former Managing Director of the Pipelines Product Marketing Company, Mr. Haruna Momoh, to apppear before it today (Wednesday) in connection with the lifting of crude oil worth $24billion in exchange for refined petroleum products. 

Allison and Momoh were served the summon after three former Group Managing Directors of the NNPC, Mr. Austin Oniwon, Mr. Andrew Yakubu and Mr. Joseph Dawha, had informed the committee that Alison-Madueke “approved” the contracts without signing any valid agreements with the firms.

However, unlike Allison, Momoh sent his younger brother, Mr. Suleiman Momoh, to inform the committee that he was ill and would not be able to appear for the hearing.

“He is ill and he will not be able to attend this session of the committee “, Suleiman told the committee.

However, he was instructed to tell his Momoh that he must appear before the panel.

The committee chairman promised to take appropriate measures against the former minister.

Mohammed stated, “Anybody who knows the former minister and Momoh should tell them that they are daring the parliament and we will take the appropriate measures against them.”