House Committee discovers secret accounts, investigates structure, accountability of NNPC joint venture from 1990 to 2022

The House of Representatives on Wednesday deepened its investigation of subsidy claims, extending the investigation to the structure and accountability of the Joint Venture (JV) business and production sharing contracts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. The committee revealed the discovery of NNPC secret accounts, which the federal government denied having knowledge of.

National Daily gathered that the Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the NNPC, Hassan Fulata, disclosed on Wednesday that the committee is investigating the Joint Venture Business and Production Contract of the NNPC from 1990 to 2022.

The lawmaker explained that the House Committee resolved to expand the scope of the initial investigation because the accounts of the NNPC did not follow due process. Fulata disclosed that the committee discovered a secret account owned by the NNPC Limited, saying that the Federal Government did not follow due process in opening these accounts.

The Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Okolieaboh Sylva, appearing before the committee on Wednesday, said that the government is not aware of the secret account.

The House interrogated the Office of the AGF, Total Energy, Shell Petroleum Company and Chevron at the Wednesday session.

The committee extended invitation to some other heads of government and corporate agencies and companies in the oil sector, which include Seplat Oil and Gas and Newcross Oil and Gas to appear before it on September 27.