The House of Representatives has taken a crucial step in the fight against corruption by calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the parties involved in the P&ID deal. This resolution, resulting from a motion of urgent public importance, was presented by Rep. Kama Nkemkanma of Ebonyi State.
The House commended President Bola Tinubu on the recent victory over the controversial $11 billion P&ID deal at the Business and Property Court in London. The judgment, delivered by Justice Robert Knowles on September 23rd, marked a significant turning point in Nigeria’s battle against the fraudulent activities of P&ID.
During the motion, Rep. Nkemkanma highlighted the significance of the London court’s ruling, which halted the enforcement of the arbitration award in favor of P&ID. Justice Knowles confirmed that P&ID had obtained the awards through fraudulent means and that the entire process was contrary to public policy. The House recognizes the gravity of this case and the importance of upholding the rule of law.
The legal battle between Nigeria and P&ID dates back to when the company accused the Nigerian government of reneging on their contractual obligations to provide gas. As a result, Nigeria was hit with a staggering $6.6 billion judgment debt in 2017. The arbitration tribunal ruled that the country must pay P&ID, along with accumulated interest starting from March 2013.
In 2018, the EFCC initiated an investigation into P&ID and uncovered evidence of suspicious bank transfers totaling $20,000. These transfers were made by Dublin-based Industrial Consultants, connected to the P&ID group, through Grace Taiga, a Nigerian government lawyer who played a role in awarding the gas plant contract. This discovery sheds light on the levels of corruption and misconduct surrounding the entire P&ID process.
The House of Representatives, in their resolution, has mandated the committees on Justice and Financial Crimes to thoroughly investigate the conduct of all legal and other services providers involved in the P&ID deal. This crucial step towards accountability and transparency will help uncover the truth behind the massive fraud and corruption that plagued the P&ID contract.
As Nigerians, we should commend the House of Representatives for their unwavering commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring justice is served. The outcome of this investigation will have far-reaching implications for the future, setting a precedent that fraudulent practices will not go unpunished.
In the coming weeks, the committees on Justice and Financial Crimes will diligently carry out their investigations and present their findings to the House. It is our hope that this process will shed light on the depths of the P&ID scandal and lead to swift and decisive action against those responsible.
NAN
