Stolen crude: Whistleblower protests, say Reps panel lack transparency

A group called the George Uboh Whistleblowers Network stormed the National Assembly on Tuesday, demanding transparency from the House of Representatives panel that was set up to investigate the alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of oil in China. Led by Peter Umoh, the civil‑society organisation—mandated to fight corruption—carried banners and placards denouncing the ad‑hoc committee created by the lower chamber. The protesters argued that the matter was already being litigated in court and that the committee’s formation was therefore unnecessary.

In December 2022, the House of Representatives resolved to establish an ad‑hoc committee to probe a whistleblower’s claim that 48 million barrels of Bonny Light crude had been illegally sold in China in 2015, as well as to examine the cargo’s insurance status. The resolution followed a motion moved by Ibrahim Isiaka, who cited a July 2020 whistleblower allegation that, in July 2015, 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude were stored at several Chinese ports under the authorization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and were intended for sale by parties in China and the NNPC. The committee was chaired by Mark Gbillah, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).

The protesters accused the ad‑hoc committee of a flawed investigation, claiming that key processes had been boycotted. Umoh asserted that whistleblowers had disclosed the stolen crude to Gbillah but were never summoned to testify before the National Assembly. “Because Gbillah did not follow this sacrosanct due process, the purported public hearing by the ad‑hoc committee is a sham predicated on unilateral action driven by greed,” he said. He added that the National Assembly does not hear or deliberate on matters that are already before the courts.

Two competent courts are already handling a case against Mele Kyari, CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, to account for proceeds from the stolen crude—estimated at $2.4 billion at $50 per barrel and $4.8 billion at $100 per barrel. Umoh urged the Gbillah‑led ad‑hoc committee to cease holding public hearings and to hand the matter over to the courts. When informed that the committee was established by the House leadership rather than by Gbillah himself, Umoh responded that the protest was intended to demonstrate to the leadership the futility of its actions on the committee.