‘NNPC is a house of thieves’, says Oshiomhole, as Senate investigates alleged missing funds

Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Wednesday strongly criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as the Senate investigated alleged discrepancies running into trillions of naira in the audited financial statements of NNPCL.

In a heated hearing of the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) the senator representing Edo North slammed the former Chief Financial Officer of the company, Umar Aliya who had stated that many people want their children to work at NNPCL.

But Oshomhole responded by saying, “NNPCL has no reputation. Your reputation is a fraud. I listened and heard you say that people want their children to be employed in NNPCL. Yes, because this is a house of thieves, and they want their children to benefit from it.”

READ ALSO: Osun APC condemns violence ahead of gubernatorial election

Ajiya sparked controversy when he defended NNPCL workers and suggested that many influential Nigerians seek employment opportunities in the company for their children.

“There are good people in the NNPC. No one has a monopoly on patriotism.
There are many patriotic people in the company.

“Currently, there are many people who are determined to send their children to NNPC,” he said.

This comment immediately provoked an angry response from Oshiomhole.

“I was elected, not to be lectured on morality,” Oshiomhole replied.

“You were invited to respond to the auditor’s report, not the report the senator prepared.

“If you can’t satisfy the auditors, and the auditors produce a formal report, you can’t come here and talk as if you’re talking to children.”

Oshiomhole further argued that the existence of audited accounts does not automatically exonerate management.

“Each fraudulent company publishes audited accounts. The details are in the management letter where the auditor details violations, theft and questions,” he said.

The former Labor leader added: “How did you (Ajiya) get there? You went there because you wanted to get the benefits and you have got the benefits.”

The exchange sparked protests and interventions from other lawmakers, who urged both sides to remain civil.

Ajiya then apologized to the committee.

“I apologize for what I said,” he said.

His apology was accepted, while the committee decided to study his submission and continue its investigation into the audit question