The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Loss of Over $2.4 billion in Revenue from the Illegal Sale of 48 million Barrels of Crude in 2015—including crude oil exports from 2014 to the present—has written to the Minister of Justice and Attorney‑General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) to demand details of the case against several whistle‑blowers. Committee Chairman Merk Gbillah condemned the alleged harassment and intimidation of whistle‑blowers who exposed illegal oil sales by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and INTERPOL. He questioned why the ministry, the DPP and the security agencies chose to reopen the abandoned case after lawmakers began their investigation. The Inspector‑General of Police, Usman Baba, who denied the allegations, asked the committee to forward its enquiries to the Justice Ministry and the DPP.
On 20 December 2022, the House resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate a whistle‑blower’s claim that 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude were illegally sold in China in 2015 and to examine the insurance status of the cargo. The committee’s mandate also covers all crude oil exports and sales by Nigeria from 2014 to date, focusing on quantities, insurance, revenue generated, remittances to the Federation Account or other accounts, and the utilisation of that revenue. Additionally, the panel will investigate proceeds recovered through the Whistle‑Blowers Policy of the Buhari administration and assess compliance with the policy. These resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by House member Ibrahim Isiaka, titled “Alleged Loss of over $2.4 Billion in Revenue from Illegal Sale of 48 Million Barrels of Crude Oil Export in 2015, Including Crude Oil Exports from 2014 till Date.”
The committee held its inaugural meeting on 29 December and conducted its first investigative hearing on Thursday, grilling Assistant Inspector General of Police and Head of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Nigeria, Garba Umar, who said he represented the IGP. Chairman Gbillah reiterated the whistle‑blowers’ allegations and described the role of a presidential committee composed of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; former NNPC Group Managing Director Maikanti Baru; former Director‑General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura; the current CEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari (then Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing); and the Minister of Justice and Attorney‑General, Abubakar Malami. Gbillah explained that the committee travelled to China at the behest of a Mexican‑citizen whistle‑blower who reported the presence of millions of barrels of Nigerian crude there and expressed interest in purchasing it. The whistle‑blower alleges that after the committee confirmed the crude’s existence, the sale proceeded without any payment reaching the Nigerian government, and that subsequent attempts to expose the matter led to intimidation, false court charges and the eventual discontinuation of the case.
Gbillah noted that the Force CID, then under DIG Michael Ogbizi (now retired), was tasked with investigating the matter and that a report was supposed to be forwarded to the Attorney‑General for action. He questioned why INTERPOL is now contacting some of the individuals involved. The Mexican businessman has since returned to Mexico, and the committee plans to meet the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria and, if necessary, travel to Mexico to speak with the whistle‑blower. Gbillah emphasized that no foreign citizen should be oppressed for telling the truth, just as no Nigerian should be oppressed abroad.
Two Nigerian whistle‑blowers have approached the committee, offering to provide detailed accounts of the events. In response, Umar stated that the police must act on any petition received against individuals or entities. He explained that INTERPOL received a petition concerning individuals who allegedly blackmailed and extorted government officials, leading to the involvement of a Mexican national, Marco Antonio Ramirez, Francis Ibomor and about 40 other Nigerians. Umar clarified that INTERPOL is not investigating a new case; the Attorney‑General’s Office merely sought INTERPOL assistance to arrest a fugitive who fled the country. He advised that all enquiries be directed to the Attorney‑General’s Office and the competent court handling the matter, warning that it would be prejudicial for the police to comment on a case pending before a court. Nonetheless, the police are ready to assist the National Assembly in its oversight function and have attached copies of the Attorney‑General’s letter, charge sheet, prosecution summary, hearing notice and remand warrant from the Federal High Court.
Gbillah ordered that Malami and the DPP furnish the committee with comprehensive details of the investigation. He instructed the clerk to draft a letter to the Director of Public Prosecution and the Honourable Attorney‑General requesting a detailed report on the allegations, including any investigation conducted by DIG Michael Ogbizi or other police departments. He also asked for certified true copies of the DPP’s letter to the Inspector‑General of Police initiating the investigation, the reasons for that investigation, and the case filed by the DPP against the individuals before any competent Nigerian court.
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