Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, said on Monday night that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited did not pay N20 billion to “ghost consultants,” as alleged by an online platform. “NNPC Ltd read with utmost dismay a report by an online platform alleging the payment of N20 billion to ghost consultants and the theft of multi‑billion‑naira tax due to the Ogun State Government,” the statement read. “NNPC Ltd wishes to state that, as a responsible corporate organisation, it does not have or deal with ghost consultants. At NNPC Ltd, the process of engaging consultants whenever the need arises is clear, verifiable and follows global best practices.”
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba‑Deen Muhammad, called the allegation “grievous” and “mindless of the consequences of such actions.” He said the claim of a missing N20 billion is “absolutely false and baseless.” NNPC demanded that the online platform retract the publication and urged it to verify facts before going to press.
The report’s second component concerned a claim by the Ogun State Government that an NNPCL subsidiary, Petroleum Products Marketing Company Ltd (PPMC), owed about N18 billion in back duty tax. NNPC clarified that PPMC had objected to and challenged the claim through its tax consultant, prompting the Ogun State Government to take the matter to court—a routine step in business disputes. The case is currently before the court, and NNPC said it will prove its position accordingly.
In conclusion, NNPC strongly advises the online publication to consider the consequences of its actions before publishing. It noted that, since the matter is already sub judice, it is regrettable that any medium would draw conclusions contrary to the court process.
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