Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Wednesday came down hard on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as the Senate probed alleged discrepancies running into trillions of naira in NNPCL’s audited financial statements.
In a heated session of the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) the senator representing Edo North blasted the former Chief Financial Officer of the company, Umar Aliya who had stated that many people want their children to work in the NNPCL.
But Oshomhole responding, said, “NNPCL has no reputation. Your reputation is for fraud. I listened and heard you say that people want their children to be employed in NNPCL. Yes, because it is a house of thieves, and they want their children to benefit from it.”
Ajiya sparked controversy when he defended NNPCL workers and suggested that many influential Nigerians sought employment opportunities in the corporation for their children.
“There are good people in NNPC. There is nobody that has a monopoly of patriotism.
There are many patriotic people in that company.
“Many people today are also desperate to get their children into NNPC,” he said.
The comment immediately provoked a furious response from Oshiomhole.
“I am elected, not to be lectured about morality,” Oshiomhole fired back.
“You are invited to respond to a report of auditors, not a report prepared by senators.
“If you couldn’t satisfy the auditors, and the auditors produced a formal report, you cannot come here and talk as if you are talking to children.”
Oshiomhole further argued that the existence of audited accounts did not automatically exonerate management.
“Every fraudulent company publishes audited accounts. The details are in the management letter where auditors detail abuses, theft and queries,” he said.
The former Labour leader added: “How did you (Ajiya) get there? You went there because you wanted to benefit and you have benefited.”
The exchange triggered protests and interventions from other lawmakers, who urged both sides to remain civil.
Subsequently, Ajiya apologised to the committee.
“I apologise for my utterances,” he said.
The apology was accepted, while the committee resolved to study his submissions and continue its investigation into the audit queries
(Ripples)
